Caleb and MC find themselves in a predicament during a gumbo dinner where hidden confessions are exposed.
Preview: Usually when Caleb came over for dinner, you were more relaxed, level-headed. But this time, you hesitated, avoided eye contact. However, you dared not to show that in front of Caleb for fear that he might become worried about you. You tried to ignore the intense feeling. Becoming acutely aware of how close he was to you, maybe too close and the way his body pressed against yours made your thoughts began to scatter. He, however, remained focused on the chopping. But your expressions, though, revealed much more.
Word Count: 4.3k
One cool spring evening, you stood in the kitchen humming to yourself. The steady rhythm of your knife against the cutting board, filled the quiet sanctity of your home as you prepped dinner. After washing a couple of vegetables in the sink, the doorbell rang.
"I'll be there in a minute!"
Before heading to the door, you checked on your makeup and hair in the mirror. The instant you opened it; a tall figure greets you with a smile only you knew and loved.
"Caleb!"
He does a small wave and before you could say anything else, he pulled you into a tight embrace. He lets out a bright chuckle as you closed your eyes breathing in his cologne, grounding you in the midst.
"Hey, pip-squeak."
You exhaled softly, realizing you were holding your breath this entire time. "H-hey…" you stammered. "I was just about to chop up some vegetables for the gumbo."
“Perfect timing,” he said, stepping aside like he always belonged in your apartment and then follows you into the kitchen.
On the counter there were an array of vegetables on a cutting board ranging from different colored bell peppers to fresh stalks of celery. You smoothed away invisible wrinkles on your apron as Caleb stood beside you and watched observantly. This will be his first time tasting gumbo and not having to use chopsticks for a hot pot.
Picking up the knife again, you hoped the motion would steady your nerves. Somehow it didn’t.
You quietly cut up the celery and placed the chunks into a white bowl. Caleb then suddenly gets behind you as you could feel his breath on your skin. It was as gentle as a wave at the beach. As warm as the first bite of a piece of pie.
"Mind if I help out, pips?" he smiled.
You replied nervously, "Sure. Go right ahead."
But instead of grabbing another knife from the drawer, he slid his hand on top of yours, guiding your grip. Together, you cut into the pepper, your movements syncing without a single thought. Your pulse, however, did not.
You were hyper-aware of everything, especially as a Hunter-but feeling his hand over yours, the warmth of his body at your back, the way his breath brushed your neck when he leaned in slightly. Usually when Caleb came over for dinner, you were more relaxed, level-headed. But this time, you hesitated, avoided eye contact. However, you dared not to show that in front of Caleb for fear that he might become worried about you. You tried to ignore the intense feeling. Becoming acutely aware of how close he was to you, maybe too close and the way his body pressed against yours made your thoughts began to scatter. He, however, remained focused on the chopping. But your expressions, though, revealed much more.
Caleb hummed into your ear and helped you placed the red bell pepper chunks into the bowl. Next was the green pepper. Sweat beads begins to form on your brow as Caleb's fingers were atop of yours to align the plump vegetable as the two of you started chopping away again.
"Am I doing a good job, pips?" he murmured, a hint of teasing in his voice.
You nodded quickly. “Yeah. You’re… doing great.”
But your voice betrayed you.
You awkwardly smile to yourself as he chuckles and continues helping you with the chopping. After all the vegetables were cut and placed into the bowl, now it was time to sauté them and prepare the roux.
Wiping the sweat off your forehead, you glanced at Caleb as he took out a large pot for the gumbo. It was Grandma's old steel pot. It was the only keepsake she gave you before she tragically passed away. The pot was what brought a family together for hot meals and lots of love. And now, it was your turn to keep the tradition going.
"Man, I can't believe you kept this after all this time," Caleb said while examining the pot. "Grandma would be really proud that you took good care of it."
Your cheeks redden as Caleb caught this and pinched your cheek a little. "Okay, what's really going on with you?”
Backing away, you tried to compose yourself but Caleb's eyes never turned away from you. He was concerned, yet spirited. And even still, your heart yearned for him. That his mere presence was always wanted and needed. You turned your focus on the pot and placed it on the stove to make the roux. After a brief silence, you uttered, "Why are you still here? Even after everything has happened?"
This made Caleb speechless as his arms gently slipped around your waist, like he was checking if you were really there and when you didn’t pull away, he held you just a little bit tighter. Once again, his warm breath sates you as you could hear your heartbeat getting faster. For a brief moment, Caleb sighed and placed his chin on your shoulder as you made the roux.
"It's because you’ve always been… like, home to me,” he said quietly. “That you're basically all I have left. I know I may joke around and tease you, but I do that because I care. Because I can't see myself without you."
A tear falls from your eye as you continuously whisked to create a dark roux. Caleb sees this and wipes away your tears with his finger.
He breathed, "I swear to you, I will always be there. No matter the weather, no matter the distance. Just call me and I'll come running to you."
Your hand trembles as you almost dropped the spoon into the pot. The roux was turning darker with each stir. You tried to remain focused but Caleb's words took a hold on you. Like you were pulled underwater gasping for air. Your eyes blurred more as more tears fell. You wiped your face and quickly excused yourself to clean up.
"Uh, Caleb, keep stirring the pot for me until it gets into a nice brown color. I'll be back, okay?"
"Yeah. Sure." Caleb nods, his expression etched in concern.
You walked into the bathroom and looked into the mirror. Your face was covered in tears that seemed to be endless.
"C'mon Nia, straighten up," you whispered quietly to yourself. "It's only Caleb. Why am I feeling this way for him?"
Exhaling sharply, you carefully cleaned your face, reapplied some makeup and returned back to the kitchen where Caleb was still whisking the roux. You peeked over his tall stature and saw that the roux was nice and ready to go.
"That color's perfect!" you smiled. "Let's get everything we sautéed into the pot."
"Yes ma'am." Caleb said with a small smile.
After combining the ingredients and stirring in the seasonings, you set the timer and took out some rice.
"Lemme get that for you. Y'know, to help ease your mind a bit."
You let Caleb wash the rice in the sink as you grabbed two glasses and two bowls to take to the table. The mood was quiet but suddenly awkward as Caleb placed the washed rice into the rice cooker. After it played its little jingle upon closing the lid, he turns to you and smiles faintly.
"Is there anything else, chef?" he said vibrantly with his violet eyes set on you.
You smiled at him and shook your head. "No. Now we wait before putting in the shrimp and crab in."
"Ooh, fancy. This sounds like this is going to be one hell of a meal."
"Definitely. I knew it was something you would want to try. It's just that I was kinda afraid of how it'd turn out if you didn't like it."
Caleb gives you a playful look and walks over to you with his hands placed on your hips.
"I'm sure I'll love it, Nee-Nee."
You blushed wildly. "Oh my god. Don't call me that!"
Caleb laughed. "Don't give me that noise. You're still Nee-Nee to me."
As the two of you laughed, your eyes catch his in a way that sparkled.
You look away as Caleb turns your attention back to him. The look in his eyes burning with curiosity. The aroma from the gumbo fills the air like an incense as he wanted to go into your mind and figure out what was actually going on with you. But you remained guarded. Unable to still face him directly.
"So, we're not going to talk about earlier, huh?" he said, folding his arms.
"There's nothing to say,” you said in a dismissive tone. “I was just a bit out of it. It happens."
That answer didn't seem to satisfy Caleb.
"Who are you trying to convince, Nia? Me or yourself?"
You looked at him unable to say anything as he led you to the couch in the living room. You both sat down as Caleb once again turned your chin to face him.
"Please," he pleaded, "let me in."
You looked deeply into the violet hue of Caleb's eyes and closed your own. Your leg shaking, you begin speaking in a tone that lowered your defenses.
"The truth is…” your voice wavered despite your best effort to steady it. “I don’t know how to be around you anymore. It’s like I see you in a way that I can’t quite explain."
Silenced settled between you, heavy but not empty.
I’ve fallen for you,” you admitted, finally meeting his eyes. “And I don’t know what to do with that.”
For what seemed like a long time, he looked at you as if he was committing every detail to memory with softened eyes and smiled.
"Nia..." His voice softer than a feather. “I’ve been waiting on you to say that.”
"Wait," you said placing a hand on his chest. "But is that wrong, though? We’ve known each other for a long time. Is that why I can't stop thinking about you?"
Caleb placed a hand on your cheek and closes his eyes.
"Nia, we can't hide what we feel. There are times I wish you were near me and in my arms. Times I would always treasure deep inside my heart."
You gazed at Caleb and kissed his forehead gently. He reopened his eyes and stared at you while smiling his brightest.
"Everything is going to be okay. We'll figure it out. Together."
You nod and smile at him as it was time to put the crab and shrimp into the pot. Getting up, you headed to the fridge and took out what you needed. Looking at Caleb with his legs crossed and reading a magazine, you couldn't help but love him even more. The way he always protected you whether it was from danger or bullies when the both of you were kids, he was always going to be your Caleb.
"Okay, I put the crabs and jumbo shrimp inside our bubbling gumbo. After a few more minutes we can eat."
Caleb looked towards your direction and got up from the couch. The way he walked towards you made your heart thump. You weren't sure why he gave you a serious look but his smile was all you saw. He stood in front of you and lent out his hand. You stared at him for only a brief moment and grabbed it.
"Caleb..."
"Nia, there are times I wish I could always hold you. To know that you're always with me safe and sound."
It felt like you were on fire and could spontaneously combust at any moment, like someone had set a slow and steady match beneath your center, deep in the pit of your stomach.
"What I'm trying to say is that I..."
Before he could say anything else, the jingle on the rice cooker played, cutting him off. Neither of you moved an inch.
“You should… get that,” he said, but his voice had dropped.
Smiling faintly at him, you released his hand to fluff the rice with a rice paddle. But before you could, Caleb spun you around and tightly held your waist. The rice paddle slipped from your hand landing on the hardwood.
Gazing back into his raven wing-colored eyes, his hand slid to your waist, slower this time-like he was giving you a chance to stop him, but you didn’t. Your breath caught as he leaned in, pausing just shy of your full lips.
“Tell me to stop,” he whispered.
You shook your head at him.
That moment was all it took.
He held your waist, firmer this time, pulling you just a fraction closer. Close enough that your breaths intertwined.
“Tell me this doesn’t mean anything to you,” he said, voice low.
You couldn’t.
Your hands clutch a little into his shirt instead, feeling his abs run across your digits.
That answer was enough.
His gaze dropped to your lips and lingered for only just a moment.
Waiting.
Longing.
Still giving you enough time to stop him.
And yet, you didn’t.
The kiss wasn’t hurried like the ones from the movies or sappy romance shows.
It was felt. It was filled with a kind of love that others wish for.
It was slow at first, testing and uncertain. Unfamiliar. Until something shifted between you, and suddenly it wasn’t enough.
His grip tightened, pulling you closer against him as the kiss deepened, collided with shaky breaths, reformed and messy in the finest way. Caleb tugged onto your bottom lip a little as the kiss breaks.
You barely had time to think before your hand slid up to his shoulder, holding onto him like you needed the balance.
Like you needed him.
When he pulled back, the distance wasn’t far but just enough for your foreheads to rest together.
“Yeah,” he breathed. “I’ve wanted to do that for a while.”
The kiss almost takes the wind out of you as Caleb steadies your body once again. He's chuckling a bit as you laughed at the way he held you in his arms.
"Careful now, don't need you slipping away," he grinned.
"Yes, Colonel." you replied in a husky voice.
Caleb blushes madly as you catch him looking away.
"Now why are you turning away from me?" you grinned.
"Heh, you're such a bad girl."
"Oh, you haven't seen nothing yet."
Caleb raises his eyebrows.
"Is that so?"
"Uh-huh."
Caleb then smiles and washes the rice paddle in the sink as you checked to see if everything was cooked and ready to plate. The smells alone reminded you of family dinners with Grandma and Caleb. How much laughter filled the table with cutlery and plates clanging about. You felt more at ease than earlier since confessing how you felt and now not being alone in the matter on how Caleb always felt about you.
"Let's sit the pot on the table under some kitchen rags so we won't have to get back up again to grab seconds." you suggested.
Caleb inhaled the gumbo when he carried the steel pot to the table.
"Man, this smells so good. I can't wait to try it." you heard him say.
Pleased, you fluffed the hot rice and carefully took out the container to bring it to the table. Bowls and spoons were already set with nothing left but getting something to drink.
"Hey Caleb?" you called out.
"Yes, cutie?"
Your cheeks began to flush. "Heh, what would you like to drink? I have a variety of soda, water and fruit juice."
"Mmm, since it's my cheat day, I'll take an orange soda if you have it. If not, regular cola is fine too."
Nodding at his request, you took out two orange sodas from the fridge door. Strolling back to the dining area, you finally took off your apron and hung it back up on a hook. Before sitting down, Caleb pulled out your chair as you said thank you to him. He sits beside you as bowls and cutlery began to clang. He looks at the gumbo and smiles happily.
"Nia, you really outdid yourself."
"Well, I had a handsome man help me make it happen."
Caleb beams and then takes a small ladle to pour you in some gumbo. Crab, sausage and shrimp went into the bowl with a scoop of fresh rice to accompany the meal. When both bowls were filled, Caleb took the first bite. You waited patiently for his finding.
He sighs contentedly as if it was the best thing he’s ever eaten. He wasn’t exaggerating nor whooping and hollering like a maniac, but his expression said he loved it with just that first bite alone.
“Its so good, Nia. I really like the spices you put in it and the seafood was a nice touch too.”
“Thanks, Caleb. Making gumbo was something I always enjoyed making by myself but since you were coming over, I wanted to share the experience with you.”
“Well, I thank you. I’m glad I’m here.”
“Me too.”
As the two of you continued to enjoy dinner, it suddenly started to downpour. The sounds of the rain were soothing to hear with thunder crackling in the distance, revealing bright flashes across the skies.
“Geez, its coming down pretty hard.” Caleb said while looking out the window. You stood beside him with your head on his arm as you sighed to yourself.
“Remember when we were kids and it rained like hell after school? I remember you carrying me with a plastic bag over my hair until we found shelter. You didn’t mind getting wet, but I still remember you keeping me calm during the whole thing.”
Caleb looks at you and grabs your hand with a tender touch.
“Of course, pips. I wasn’t going to let any ole’ rain get you all wet and dirty.”
“If only those days never ended…” you sighed.
Caleb then stares at the rain with a curved smile on his lips. “Then we’ll make newer days to cherish forever.”
The two of you went back to the table to finish eating. Laughter and jokes filled the air while it continued to pour outside. Everything was warm, safe.
-
“Ugh, I’m so full,” you said while rubbing your belly. “So good.”
Caleb agrees and gets up to grab the bowls and glasses from the table before kissing your forehead. He went into the kitchen to put everything in the sink and began washing the dishes. You watched him and smiled a little, knowing how clean he always was and how he didn’t like leaving any messes around. Walking over to Caleb, you stood beside him and helped as neither of you didn’t make a sound. It was the company that was enough to sate the both of you for hours.
“Whatcha thinking about?” he asked, breaking the silence.
You sighed to yourself and placed the clean bowl on the drying rack. “A lot, actually. Like, how would things work between us?”
“Like they always have, Nee-Nee,” Caleb assured, “we just need to work together in making this into a long-lasting relationship.”
Chuckling at his words, he did sound giddy that the two of you were now in love with each other and the lightness in his voice said more than you hoped for.
“Y’know what’s the most beautiful sound in the world?” Caleb asked, as he rinsed the glass in his hand.
“Dunno. What is it?” you wondered.
“Your voice, especially when you call my name.” he replied with the most beautiful smile you’ve ever seen.
Blushing excitedly at what he said, you didn’t notice that the dishes were all cleaned and put away while Caleb wiped his hands with a paper towel. He grabs your hand and guides you back to the couch. The rain continued to come down heavily when suddenly the lights went out.
“Dammit! The whole city is experiencing power outages. Caleb, use your phone flashlight to get some candles in the cabinet over there. I’ll go look for my lighter.”
“10-4.” Caleb understood as he got up from the couch.
You walked into the bedroom looking for the lighter as Caleb notified you that he found the candles.
“All I could find were scented ones. Hope that’s okay.”
“Yeah, that’s fine,” you said grabbing the candles. “Let’s light these and wait ‘Til the power turns back on.”
Caleb nods and placed the candles around different areas that would not catch on fire. He was extremely careful with your surroundings every time he visited as he didn’t want to damage anything you had.
The apartment lit up with small flames dancing amongst the walls. Grabbing a blanket from the closet, you greeted Caleb with a small smile as he placed some wood in the fireplace. Lighting a match he found, the wood crackled and sparked cinders while he tended to a small blaze with a fire poker.
“Wanna join me?” he asked with his hand extended to you.
Without saying a word, you sat beside him on the couch wrapping yourself snuggly within the blanket. You inhaled the sweet smells of lilac and lavender in the air with Caleb by your side.
“I’ll protect you and love you as if you were my wife. That will always be my promise.”
“And I promise to always be your Nee-Nee.”
The two of you shared a laugh as Caleb turned your chin and kissed your lips.
“And I’ll always be your Caleb.”
Nestled snuggly with each other in the blanket after eating a delicious meal, the fire crackling soundly in the fireplace, the rain coming down outside the windowpane, it was the perfect evening to spend with someone you love.
An hour passed and the rain never let up.
It poured little by little against the windows, soft at times, heavy at others, wrapping the apartment in a quiet kind of isolation. The scented candles flinted gently across the living room, their warm glow dancing along the walls while the scent of gumbo and lilac still hanging in the air.
Caleb came back to the living room with two cups of hot chocolate.
“Here ya go,” he said softly. “I remembered just the way you liked it.”
“Double chocolate with mini marshmallows.”
For a moment, no one said a thing.
The silence, however, no longer felt awkward.
It felt almost heavy.
Caleb walked back to the couch and sat beside you, just close enough that your knees are brushing against each other. The thunder outside rumbled low in the distance, but inside everything felt strangely calm, like the world had finally stopped spinning long enough for the two of you to breathe.
You leaned back into the cushions with a tired sigh. “Today feels unreal.”
“Good unreal or bad unreal?”
You looked at him for a few short moments before responding.
The softness in his violet eyes.
The loosened collar on his shirt.
The familiar warmth in the way he sat beside you, one arm stretched across the back of the couch like he always belonged in that spot.
“Good,” you admitted quietly. “But a bit… overwhelming.”
Caleb nodded like he understood completely.
Because he did.
“I think,” he began carefully, “we spent so much tome trying not to ruin what we already had that we never stopped to think maybe this was where we were supposed to end up.
You could feel yourself tense up at his words.
Outside lightning flashed briefly across the room.
“I was scared, Caleb,” you confessed. “If things changed between us and it all fell apart… I don’t know what I would have done.”
Caleb’s expression softened even more.
“Nia,” he murmured, reaching for your hand, “you could never lose me.”
His thumb brushed slowly across your knuckles, easing your tension.
“You hear me?” he said quietly. “Whether we were friends, family, whatever this turns into… I was always going to stay.”
The ache in your chest melted into something warmer.
Something pleasant and safe.
You laughed softly under your breath, blinking away the sudden sting in your eyes. “Ever since we were kids, you always knew what to say to make me feel like I was everything in the world.”
“That’s because you are everything,” he grinned. “I just mean it when I say it.”
You shook your head, smiling now, and rested your head against his shoulder. Almost instantly, he leaned into you in return , pressing a soft kiss against the top of your hair.
The storm continued outside, but neither of you paid attention to it anymore.
Not when his fingers were absentmindedly tracing circles against your hand.
Not when his heartbeat was steady beneath your cheek.
Not when warmth filled every empty space the rain once occupied.
Eventually, Caleb glanced down at you with that same look that always unraveled you from the inside out.
“What”? you asked, trying your best not to smile.
“Nothing,” he said. “Just thinking.”
“Huh. That’s dangerous, Colonel.”
He laughed quietly. “I’m serious.”
You tilted your head to look at him. “Okay. Thinking about what?”
His gaze lingered on you for a second too long before he answered.
“That I could get used to this. Being with the girl I love.”
Your breath hitched.
Not because the words were dramatic. But because they were honest.
Simple and real.
And somehow that made them mean even more.
You reached up, brushing your fingers lightly against his cheek before kissing him again-slow tender, now familiar.
When the kiss broke, Caleb rested his forehead against yours and smiled. The moment they touched the lights came back on.
“Guess I’m not going anywhere now, huh?”
You smiled back, heart full in a way you hadn’t felt in years.
“Good,” you whispered. “Stay awhile.”
And as the rain poured endlessly beyond the windows, Caleb pulled you closer underneath the blanket, the two of you held together by warmth, memory, and the kind of love that had been simmering quietly all along.
