Yeza had caught glimpses of the Shadowhand before. He had come to Yeza's cell more than once, speaking in hushed tones to the guards, his intimidating presence sending a new rush of fear through Yeza's tired limbs.
So it is weird sight to see him curled up against Caleb on the couch, his knees drawn up, wearing comfortable evening pants and a shirt that may be Caleb's. Caleb attention is on Veth, though, who is pressed against Caleb's other side, the two of them chattering excitedly about their newest experiment.
Yeza places the drinks he had been getting in front of them and hesitates. The couch is large enough to accommodate two halflings, a human and a drow, but with his companions curled up as they are, the only empty spot is next to Essek. While sharing magic and alchemy were easy, when the excitement of discovery went down, the uncertainty set in.
"Come."
Essek's voice breaks through his mounting panic. The drow has raised his arm, indicating the empty spot. Veth is nervously playing with Caleb's shirt, watching the exchange like a hawk. A few months back, she had confessed to Yeza deep in the night that she would really love for Caleb to come live with them, because Rexxentrum is not good for him, and he can teleport there any way, but no lines would be crossed,please don't worry, and you know what, forget about it, it is fine, she just missed him sometimes that is all, and Caleb can teleport so it doesn't matter, and-
He had silenced her with a kiss on her nose, and had agreed to try. He couldn't have predicted this.
Shaking himself, Yeza settles next to Essek. He can feel the warmth seeping through his trousers were their legs touch. His heart is hammering. Back in Felderwin, people didn't do this. He was far away from his old life, though. He still isn't sure if that is a good thing.
"To another step in our advancement of knowledge."
Caleb holds out his drink for a toast, and Yeza gratefully accepts his when Essek hands him the glass.
"To destruction, and black hole fluffernutters," Veth adds with a grin.
"To discovery, both intellectual and of the self," Essek says softly.
"To family."
Yeza's ears and face burn red as soon as he says the words. There is a moment of silence, before Caleb raises his glass again.
"Ja. To family."
Veth and Essek echo him, and they all drink, settling deeper into the cushions.
Soon they are talking again, about their experiments, and about Jester and Fjord who are due to arrive in the harbor soon, and about Beau and Yasha, who are thinking of adopting a child.
Yeza listens, mostly, but during one of Veth's and Caleb's more vicious debates, about the merit of using the dunamancy fluffernutter on some kind of large baby creature, he catches the gaze of the intimidating Shadowhand, his expression soft as he observes the other two.
"No time magic can predict this, huh?" Yeza whispers.
Essek smiles.
"It cannot. But all the more reason to appreciate it, no?"
"Yeah."
Yeza relaxes against him, and Essek's arm curls around his shoulder. Maybe, in time, they will figure out exactly what is going on. But until then, Yeza is content to let it unfold. Because he is sure of one thing. Between the four of them? There is no mystery they can't uncover.
