@evilsought, for nott.
caleb finds himself, as he does more and more often these days, hesitating outside her bedroom door. he fiddles with his copper wire, winding it around two fingers and unwinding it again. if he cannot bring himself to knock, he could send a message. and then her... her husband, he need not know of the interruption.
that makes caleb’s lurking sound like something other than it is. but it is true that he has avoided yeza brenatto — speaking to him, or even speaking his name.
because you are a useless piece of shit. she deserves better than you for a friend, and you know it.
after a while, caleb gives it up. he tucks the wire back into the pocket of his new coat and slinks off in shame to the library. if nothing else, he can make himself useful. force himself to be good for something. anything.
he intends to return to his studies. ( transmutation magic is the way to break his friend’s curse; he is sure of it. caleb set out on this path for a reason. ) but when he opens the door, who should be there, in the alchemical laboratory attached to the study, but nott the brave.
caleb stares blankly at her, wavering between holding his planned course and giving in to the need to be near her. he walks past her. pulls a book from the shelf. walks back to her, carrying it.
“you cannot sleep?”