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Nov. 28th, 2030 10:10 amBeing an empath, Caleb has the ability to experience the emotions of others as his own. The strength, clarity, and understanding of these emotions varies based on familiarity with the person or persons, as well as proximity to them. He tries very hard not to react to a person's emotions, but sometimes, it gets the better of him, and he might blurt something out. In the interest of avoiding awkward infomod moments, I decided to make this post.
Caleb currently uses the color system to identify some of the emotions that he feels from those around him. Every person experiences feelings differently, however, and so not every color means the same for every person, even if the emotion itself feels more or less the same between people. These are the common colors he uses for the following emotions:
For those emotions that don't have a specific color, or for which the color system doesn't properly apply, Caleb has physical sensations that allow him to clarify what they are.
These two systems have helped Caleb focus on how to differentiate his emotions from those of others.
I will always, always do my best to make sure that nobody is unaware of or uncomfortable with Caleb's 'reading' of a person, using OOC methods such as DMs/PMs/Discord etc. If you don't want Caleb to be able to get a reading on your pup, we can assume that Darrow has muffled his power regarding them, and he'll be confused, but maybe also relieved. So, below are a couple of questions that could help make Caleb's interactions with your pup a little smoother and more interesting!
Caleb currently uses the color system to identify some of the emotions that he feels from those around him. Every person experiences feelings differently, however, and so not every color means the same for every person, even if the emotion itself feels more or less the same between people. These are the common colors he uses for the following emotions:
Anger is red.
Concern is traffic-cone-orange.
Sadness, is offwhite.
Happiness is pink.
Disappointment or shame is black.
Pride, i.e., feeling proud of an accomplishment, is gold.
Exhaustion, especially that 'bone-deep weariness' that accompanies depression, is blue.
For those emotions that don't have a specific color, or for which the color system doesn't properly apply, Caleb has physical sensations that allow him to clarify what they are.
Curiosity feels like Pop Rocks or ants against or beneath his skin. It makes him feel itchy and restless.
Nerves, especially those associated with flirting, are a very specific butterfly sensation.
Disappointment feels like sludge in his belly.
Pity feels like toffee in his joints or in his mouth.
Surprise feels like falling, giving his stomach a swooping sensation.
Pride feels like sunshine. Self-pride, as mentioned above, feels like inner sunshine, while feeling proud of another person feels like bathing in sunshine.
Calm is usually a blanketed, quiet feeling.
These two systems have helped Caleb focus on how to differentiate his emotions from those of others.
I will always, always do my best to make sure that nobody is unaware of or uncomfortable with Caleb's 'reading' of a person, using OOC methods such as DMs/PMs/Discord etc. If you don't want Caleb to be able to get a reading on your pup, we can assume that Darrow has muffled his power regarding them, and he'll be confused, but maybe also relieved. So, below are a couple of questions that could help make Caleb's interactions with your pup a little smoother and more interesting!
(no subject)
Oct. 10th, 2022 03:03 amOct 10th, early AM
He wakes with a soft breath. Not a shout, not a flail, nothing dramatic. He just opens his eyes and inhales softly, rising out of the dream easily and quietly.
As soon as he’s awake, though, Caleb gasps and sits up. The memory of the dream slams into him and he feels his heart rate pick up. Nikita. He crawls to the edge of the bed and grabs his phone. He flips to her contact page in his phone, but freezes.
It was a dream. Right? It has to have been a dream. He’d been sleeping, he’s just woken up. His limbs are still heavy with it, even though his pounding heart is trying to convince them to get moving. But in dreams, he doesn’t feel people’s feelings. In dreams, he doesn’t imagine whole new places he’s never been before. Maybe other people do, but he never has.
EIther way, the fact remains, his entire body is worried about Nikita. If nothing else, he can check in on her. If he wakes her up, she’ll tell him to go back to bed, and everything will be fine. Right.
He swallows hard, then finally hits ‘call.’
He wakes with a soft breath. Not a shout, not a flail, nothing dramatic. He just opens his eyes and inhales softly, rising out of the dream easily and quietly.
As soon as he’s awake, though, Caleb gasps and sits up. The memory of the dream slams into him and he feels his heart rate pick up. Nikita. He crawls to the edge of the bed and grabs his phone. He flips to her contact page in his phone, but freezes.
It was a dream. Right? It has to have been a dream. He’d been sleeping, he’s just woken up. His limbs are still heavy with it, even though his pounding heart is trying to convince them to get moving. But in dreams, he doesn’t feel people’s feelings. In dreams, he doesn’t imagine whole new places he’s never been before. Maybe other people do, but he never has.
EIther way, the fact remains, his entire body is worried about Nikita. If nothing else, he can check in on her. If he wakes her up, she’ll tell him to go back to bed, and everything will be fine. Right.
He swallows hard, then finally hits ‘call.’
(no subject)
Oct. 7th, 2022 10:29 amBefore Caleb's powers, he'd been a pretty friendly guy, who liked being around people. It's not so easy, anymore, though working with Obi-Wan helps. Caleb tries to be good about keeping up with his friends, even if he doesn't see them every single day. A text here, a suddengram DM there, and the occasional offer to hang out.
So he knows when one of them is gone.
Losing Rosie had been a blow that'd knocked Caleb's breath out of him for what felt like days. And now, feeling introspective and lonely, he heads out for his run. It doesn't take him long to realize his heart isn't in it. Usually, he runs to separate himself from people's feelings — well, and to keep fit. But he doesn't want to be alone right now. There are a few people he could text, still; he chooses Bucky.
They see each other plenty, enough to be friendly, and Bucky might not have to run to keep fit, but he probably still does, so Caleb texts him Be my running buddy? I'm at the park. You can bring Bopp. He adds a dog emoji, just for kicks. It'll be nice to just feel someone else close by, their focus turned toward the same thing. He settles in at the park to wait for Bucky's answer.
So he knows when one of them is gone.
Losing Rosie had been a blow that'd knocked Caleb's breath out of him for what felt like days. And now, feeling introspective and lonely, he heads out for his run. It doesn't take him long to realize his heart isn't in it. Usually, he runs to separate himself from people's feelings — well, and to keep fit. But he doesn't want to be alone right now. There are a few people he could text, still; he chooses Bucky.
They see each other plenty, enough to be friendly, and Bucky might not have to run to keep fit, but he probably still does, so Caleb texts him Be my running buddy? I'm at the park. You can bring Bopp. He adds a dog emoji, just for kicks. It'll be nice to just feel someone else close by, their focus turned toward the same thing. He settles in at the park to wait for Bucky's answer.
The Golden Boy and the Hair
Sep. 2nd, 2022 06:59 amCaleb hears the tung! tung! tung! of a dribbling basketball on his way to the grocery store. He doesn't need much, so he's just going to the corner store that Michael introduced him to, back when Caleb first arrived. It's nowhere near High Gate, but it is, apparently, near a public basketball court. If he's ever noticed it before, he doesn't remember, but it speaks to a piece of him he hasn't really thought about in… awhile. Maybe years.
It revitalizes that itch to move, to be active, to feel the pebbled skin of a football or basketball under his own hand, and before he realizes it, he's headed towards the court to see who's playing — and if they have room for one more.
He's surprised to see just one guy, body moving expertly as he dribbles, aims, shoots. The ball hits the concrete and the guy is already on it, playing against an imaginary team that's so clear in his head, in his feelings, that Caleb can almost see them, too.
He stands at the chainlink fencing and watches for a moment or two longer, then as the ball sails through the air towards the hoop, he calls, "Hey!"
It feels too loud in the sudden quiet, without the ball's steady tung! tung! tung! and Caleb winces, then offers a smile as the ball sinks through the net.
"Up for a little one on one?" he asks.
It revitalizes that itch to move, to be active, to feel the pebbled skin of a football or basketball under his own hand, and before he realizes it, he's headed towards the court to see who's playing — and if they have room for one more.
He's surprised to see just one guy, body moving expertly as he dribbles, aims, shoots. The ball hits the concrete and the guy is already on it, playing against an imaginary team that's so clear in his head, in his feelings, that Caleb can almost see them, too.
He stands at the chainlink fencing and watches for a moment or two longer, then as the ball sails through the air towards the hoop, he calls, "Hey!"
It feels too loud in the sudden quiet, without the ball's steady tung! tung! tung! and Caleb winces, then offers a smile as the ball sinks through the net.
"Up for a little one on one?" he asks.
for Gideon
Oct. 21st, 2021 02:09 pmCaleb's got a lot on his mind. He's got a beach house he needs to figure out what to do with. He needs a new job, because working at the auto shop just reminds him of Michael too much. He's recently dropped off a letter to that weird mailbox in the park, breaking up with Adam, and he's still not sure if that was right or decent.
So he's at the gym, where he knows he can go to blank out his mind. Normally, he'd play football, or he'd hang with Adam — Neil, here, because Neil has been the closest to that green place he's been in since he'd gotten to Darrow, but that's... that's one of the things he's working on. The gym is the next best thing to both of those. He's been using some of the different machines, and now he's headed to the bench press so he can work on that.
He's sweaty; he's been at this for over an hour, and he should stop, soon, but he can't get his head to quiet down. He looks around as he settles on the bench, and sees someone nearby doing free weights. They're buff, and they look like they're nearing the end of their reps, so Caleb doesn't feel so bad when he nods in their direction.
"Hey, mind spotting me?" he asks.
So he's at the gym, where he knows he can go to blank out his mind. Normally, he'd play football, or he'd hang with Adam — Neil, here, because Neil has been the closest to that green place he's been in since he'd gotten to Darrow, but that's... that's one of the things he's working on. The gym is the next best thing to both of those. He's been using some of the different machines, and now he's headed to the bench press so he can work on that.
He's sweaty; he's been at this for over an hour, and he should stop, soon, but he can't get his head to quiet down. He looks around as he settles on the bench, and sees someone nearby doing free weights. They're buff, and they look like they're nearing the end of their reps, so Caleb doesn't feel so bad when he nods in their direction.
"Hey, mind spotting me?" he asks.
(no subject)
Oct. 17th, 2021 01:24 pmIt takes him hours to write it out. Dr. Fuller told him it would probably be helpful, even if Caleb believed Adam would never receive it, to write out everything he was thinking and feeling about their relationship. He feels like a coward. How is this any different than texting someone? It's not, is the thing. But he can't text Adam. He's tried.
He asks Rosie to read it over. Maybe that's stupid, or rude, or... fuck, he doesn't know. But he needs to know he doesn't sound crazy, or weak, or like a fucking asshole. This is the best he can do.
Caleb brings the letter to the Mailbox, crinkling it between his fingers in the envelope that doesn't have a stamp, or an address. Just Adam's name, and a whole lot of wrinkles. He stares down at it, stomach twisting. He still doesn't know if this is even going to work, or if it's just an exercise for his own peace of mind. He isn't sure it even matters.
"I love you, Adam," he whispers to the envelope. Then he grabs the door on the Mailbox and pulls it open. He drops the envelope in, then releases the handle, letting it swing shut with a squeaky clang.
His eyes sting, but he walks away without crying, heading back to his car. He wants to go back to the apartment and just sort of sit with his feelings about this, but maybe that's not the wisest idea. He needs to stay out in the air, and maybe interact with people, so he doesn't get dragged down by his own sadness.
He heads to the boardwalk, instead, and lets himself get swept away by people's feelings. It's probably not better than sitting with his feelings and processing what he's done, but it feels safer, at least.
He asks Rosie to read it over. Maybe that's stupid, or rude, or... fuck, he doesn't know. But he needs to know he doesn't sound crazy, or weak, or like a fucking asshole. This is the best he can do.
Caleb brings the letter to the Mailbox, crinkling it between his fingers in the envelope that doesn't have a stamp, or an address. Just Adam's name, and a whole lot of wrinkles. He stares down at it, stomach twisting. He still doesn't know if this is even going to work, or if it's just an exercise for his own peace of mind. He isn't sure it even matters.
"I love you, Adam," he whispers to the envelope. Then he grabs the door on the Mailbox and pulls it open. He drops the envelope in, then releases the handle, letting it swing shut with a squeaky clang.
His eyes sting, but he walks away without crying, heading back to his car. He wants to go back to the apartment and just sort of sit with his feelings about this, but maybe that's not the wisest idea. He needs to stay out in the air, and maybe interact with people, so he doesn't get dragged down by his own sadness.
He heads to the boardwalk, instead, and lets himself get swept away by people's feelings. It's probably not better than sitting with his feelings and processing what he's done, but it feels safer, at least.
(no subject)
Jul. 14th, 2021 05:20 pmJuly 14, 2021, post Disappearance plot
He gets a knock on the door early Wednesday morning, while he's doing his pre-run warmups. On the other side is a sharply dressed man, someone he's never met before, and he hands Caleb a large envelope. He offers Caleb a grim smile, but his emotions give little away. He's here to do a job, and now it's done, and he's barely had to say a word to do it.
Once he's gone, Caleb sits at the table and starts going through the envelope. His heart starts to pound with each passing second. Inside is the deed to Michael and Alex's beach house. The keys are there. There's also a slip of paper inside saying that Old Pals will take good care of Bopp.
Nothing about Luke, though. No adoption paperwork — and suddenly Caleb realizes he can't remember if they'd ever formally adopted him — and no school enrollment paperwork. Not even leftover doctor's appointments.
His hands are shaking when he grabs his phone and sends texts, first to Alex, then to Michael. They both bounce back 'unable to deliver.' He feels a sob wrench free, and he tries again.
Unable to deliver.
He tries Luke's number.
Unable to deliver.
The words on his screen go blurry, but he tries again. It's just a garbled message of poorly-done autocorrect, but he doesn't even notice, because he's sobbing. This isn't right. This isn't fair. Michael is one of the first people in the city Caleb'd ever met. He's one of the first people who learned about his ability. The comforting orange of their combined feelings had been a fucking godsend, more often than not, and sometimes he could be a pain in the ass, but Caleb loves him. He doesn't want him to just be... fucking gone.
He's not dead. They're not dead. They're just... not in Darrow anymore. In the same way that Caleb's whole family is still in Boston, Michael and Alex are somewhere together, maybe even with Luke, somewhere safe where they can be together and be a family. And maybe Caleb can't talk to them, or text them, or anything, but... but they're okay. They're not dead.
Whether or not that's true, Caleb has to tell himself that.
===
A couple hours later, Caleb is standing on the stoop of the beach house, keys to the front door clutched in one hand. It feels daunting. He's been here a hundred times, probably, but suddenly the house feels empty and lonely. Michael's truck is gone. Alex's car is gone. The airstream is gone. Inside, the ghosts of their emotions linger like a mist. Furniture is still in place, like they'd just gone out for the day, and haven't come back yet.
He wonders if they ever will.
Is that morbid? He needs to talk to Dr. Fuller, now that he's back.
He does a pass through the house, footfalls loud against the quiet, to make sure nothing overly personal has been left behind. He checks Luke's room. There are a couple of pictures still tacked to the walls; he takes one down and folds it up, carefully tucking it into his pocket. Then he leaves the room before he fucking starts crying. Again.
He unlocks the sliding back door in the living room, and the sea breeze rushes in. It flutters the curtains a little, and he breathes it in like he's going to have a fucking panic attack if he doesn't. Then he closes the door and keeps going.
He checks the workshop next, but it's empty of all but the most human of tools. Nothing shimmering with an unearthly sheen. That's a relief, at least. He takes a breath and heads back to the front door, then sits on the stoop, staying outside. He pulls out his phone, then sends another text.
What am I supposed to do with a whole ass fucking house? he sends, and he hopes, prays, he gets a response.
[ SAD BEAN AHOY. Caleb has just found out that Michael Guerin, Alex Manes, and Luke Crain are all gone from Darrow, and he's been left with their beach house. Bopp has been sent along to Old Pals, but she's a registered therapy dog if anyone needs one, and will be up for adoption from there. Be the person Caleb has texted, or feel free to swing by if your pup knows Alex or Michael or Luke and are seeking to check up on them. ]
He gets a knock on the door early Wednesday morning, while he's doing his pre-run warmups. On the other side is a sharply dressed man, someone he's never met before, and he hands Caleb a large envelope. He offers Caleb a grim smile, but his emotions give little away. He's here to do a job, and now it's done, and he's barely had to say a word to do it.
Once he's gone, Caleb sits at the table and starts going through the envelope. His heart starts to pound with each passing second. Inside is the deed to Michael and Alex's beach house. The keys are there. There's also a slip of paper inside saying that Old Pals will take good care of Bopp.
Nothing about Luke, though. No adoption paperwork — and suddenly Caleb realizes he can't remember if they'd ever formally adopted him — and no school enrollment paperwork. Not even leftover doctor's appointments.
His hands are shaking when he grabs his phone and sends texts, first to Alex, then to Michael. They both bounce back 'unable to deliver.' He feels a sob wrench free, and he tries again.
Unable to deliver.
He tries Luke's number.
Unable to deliver.
The words on his screen go blurry, but he tries again. It's just a garbled message of poorly-done autocorrect, but he doesn't even notice, because he's sobbing. This isn't right. This isn't fair. Michael is one of the first people in the city Caleb'd ever met. He's one of the first people who learned about his ability. The comforting orange of their combined feelings had been a fucking godsend, more often than not, and sometimes he could be a pain in the ass, but Caleb loves him. He doesn't want him to just be... fucking gone.
He's not dead. They're not dead. They're just... not in Darrow anymore. In the same way that Caleb's whole family is still in Boston, Michael and Alex are somewhere together, maybe even with Luke, somewhere safe where they can be together and be a family. And maybe Caleb can't talk to them, or text them, or anything, but... but they're okay. They're not dead.
Whether or not that's true, Caleb has to tell himself that.
===
A couple hours later, Caleb is standing on the stoop of the beach house, keys to the front door clutched in one hand. It feels daunting. He's been here a hundred times, probably, but suddenly the house feels empty and lonely. Michael's truck is gone. Alex's car is gone. The airstream is gone. Inside, the ghosts of their emotions linger like a mist. Furniture is still in place, like they'd just gone out for the day, and haven't come back yet.
He wonders if they ever will.
Is that morbid? He needs to talk to Dr. Fuller, now that he's back.
He does a pass through the house, footfalls loud against the quiet, to make sure nothing overly personal has been left behind. He checks Luke's room. There are a couple of pictures still tacked to the walls; he takes one down and folds it up, carefully tucking it into his pocket. Then he leaves the room before he fucking starts crying. Again.
He unlocks the sliding back door in the living room, and the sea breeze rushes in. It flutters the curtains a little, and he breathes it in like he's going to have a fucking panic attack if he doesn't. Then he closes the door and keeps going.
He checks the workshop next, but it's empty of all but the most human of tools. Nothing shimmering with an unearthly sheen. That's a relief, at least. He takes a breath and heads back to the front door, then sits on the stoop, staying outside. He pulls out his phone, then sends another text.
What am I supposed to do with a whole ass fucking house? he sends, and he hopes, prays, he gets a response.
[ SAD BEAN AHOY. Caleb has just found out that Michael Guerin, Alex Manes, and Luke Crain are all gone from Darrow, and he's been left with their beach house. Bopp has been sent along to Old Pals, but she's a registered therapy dog if anyone needs one, and will be up for adoption from there. Be the person Caleb has texted, or feel free to swing by if your pup knows Alex or Michael or Luke and are seeking to check up on them. ]
(no subject)
Apr. 7th, 2021 06:25 pmCaleb knows he's been weird the past few weeks. The past couple of months, if he's honest. It's only by sheer force of will (and the dumb luck of having opposing schedules with Neil sometimes) that this hasn't been a problem sooner. But the fact is, it's a problem now, and one that he and Neil have to face.
Neil has noticed he's been weird. Caleb can feel it the times they manage to spend time together. So he invites Neil over for a dinner of pizza and fries, and he's got some bottles of tea, and he's trying really fucking hard not to feel like the worst boyfriend in the world.
Neil has noticed he's been weird. Caleb can feel it the times they manage to spend time together. So he invites Neil over for a dinner of pizza and fries, and he's got some bottles of tea, and he's trying really fucking hard not to feel like the worst boyfriend in the world.
(no subject)
Mar. 31st, 2021 04:08 pmtimed to early April?
Therapy with Dr. Fuller has scaled back to twice a month, instead of once a week. He's been talking to his boss at the auto shop about picking up more hours once classes let out, but for now, that's still part time, too. So he's got a little more free time on his hands than he had even last month, and he's filled it with Neil, sports, and, oh yeah, meditating with an actual Jedi.
If anyone had told him last year his life would be like this now, he wouldn't believe them.
Well, he would, because he'd feel their conviction, but that's not the point.
The point is, he's just left Obi-Wan's, and while it's not like he feels wrecked like he sometimes does after therapy, he definitely feels a little raw, and he finds himself wanting something gentle on the empathy.
Someone gentle on it.
He pulls out his phone and types out u busy? before sending it to Rosie. A moment later, he adds, Meet me at the park? He doesn't want to go back to his apartment, and he doesn't want to be alone, and the gentle, soft, cloud-gray of Rosie's feelings sound really, really nice right now.
Therapy with Dr. Fuller has scaled back to twice a month, instead of once a week. He's been talking to his boss at the auto shop about picking up more hours once classes let out, but for now, that's still part time, too. So he's got a little more free time on his hands than he had even last month, and he's filled it with Neil, sports, and, oh yeah, meditating with an actual Jedi.
If anyone had told him last year his life would be like this now, he wouldn't believe them.
Well, he would, because he'd feel their conviction, but that's not the point.
The point is, he's just left Obi-Wan's, and while it's not like he feels wrecked like he sometimes does after therapy, he definitely feels a little raw, and he finds himself wanting something gentle on the empathy.
Someone gentle on it.
He pulls out his phone and types out u busy? before sending it to Rosie. A moment later, he adds, Meet me at the park? He doesn't want to go back to his apartment, and he doesn't want to be alone, and the gentle, soft, cloud-gray of Rosie's feelings sound really, really nice right now.
(no subject)
Dec. 31st, 2020 06:54 pmIt's New Years Eve, and Neil had made it pretty clear that the closer it got to midnight, the more dangerous Darrow became. Last year, Caleb hadn't even bothered with New Years. It'd been barely a month after he'd arrived, and he'd still been reeling with confusion and loneliness and fear.
That feels like a lifetime ago, now.
Now, he has a boyfriend. He's got friends, here, some of the best friends he's ever known. He still misses his family. Christmas had been hard in its own way, with them not here. But the 'transplants' or 'immigrants' or whatever the appropriate term for people like him is, they all stick together, and that makes their bonds impossibly strong — stronger than the bonds he'd had with people back home. He's building a new family.
Tonight is about celebrating those bonds.
He could've hosted the party at High Gate, but the truth is, he'd wanted to stay close to Dani. He'd known she wouldn't come even before he'd invited her, no matter where it's held. Here, at least, he can duck out and head to her apartment to check on her — and if she really wants to be alone, he'd feel that before he'd even reach the door, and he could leave a little note for her, or something.
It's a bonus that the apartment happens to also be home to two of the most important people in Caleb's Darrow life. He gets most of the stuff — paper plates, napkins, cutlery — set up early, so if anyone wants to head out to enjoy whatever fun's going on after sundown, they can. The important thing is to be back before midnight, so they could, in theory, be safe. Caleb had made sure that Rosie and Neil knew to invite anyone they wanted, and he'd sent out a few invites, as well (with the promise that he really, really won't be offended if they say no), and he makes sure there're drinks and snacks to suit a variety of palates.
Including alcohol. Not much, but it's there, and he makes sure to promise Neil to distance himself if he starts to feel too swirly. He can handle himself, and anyway, the important thing is for everyone to have safe, healthy fun with their friends and loved ones.
[ HAPPY NEW YEAR! Micro-gathering at Candlewood #8B! For friends of Rosie, Neil, and Caleb, in the event you wish to hide away from the Darrow shenanigans. Tag in, tag around, have fun! Timed to begin at 10PM, and will be linked for January reqs. ]
That feels like a lifetime ago, now.
Now, he has a boyfriend. He's got friends, here, some of the best friends he's ever known. He still misses his family. Christmas had been hard in its own way, with them not here. But the 'transplants' or 'immigrants' or whatever the appropriate term for people like him is, they all stick together, and that makes their bonds impossibly strong — stronger than the bonds he'd had with people back home. He's building a new family.
Tonight is about celebrating those bonds.
He could've hosted the party at High Gate, but the truth is, he'd wanted to stay close to Dani. He'd known she wouldn't come even before he'd invited her, no matter where it's held. Here, at least, he can duck out and head to her apartment to check on her — and if she really wants to be alone, he'd feel that before he'd even reach the door, and he could leave a little note for her, or something.
It's a bonus that the apartment happens to also be home to two of the most important people in Caleb's Darrow life. He gets most of the stuff — paper plates, napkins, cutlery — set up early, so if anyone wants to head out to enjoy whatever fun's going on after sundown, they can. The important thing is to be back before midnight, so they could, in theory, be safe. Caleb had made sure that Rosie and Neil knew to invite anyone they wanted, and he'd sent out a few invites, as well (with the promise that he really, really won't be offended if they say no), and he makes sure there're drinks and snacks to suit a variety of palates.
Including alcohol. Not much, but it's there, and he makes sure to promise Neil to distance himself if he starts to feel too swirly. He can handle himself, and anyway, the important thing is for everyone to have safe, healthy fun with their friends and loved ones.
[ HAPPY NEW YEAR! Micro-gathering at Candlewood #8B! For friends of Rosie, Neil, and Caleb, in the event you wish to hide away from the Darrow shenanigans. Tag in, tag around, have fun! Timed to begin at 10PM, and will be linked for January reqs. ]
a weekend at Kagura
Dec. 4th, 2020 09:17 pmIt was Neil's idea, but it was Caleb's first: their first date in East Hallow, Neil had told Caleb all about the mysterious ski lodge and its mountain home, and Caleb had suggested that, maybe, sometime, they could go up, like, together. Then Neil had texted him just the other day, pointing out that the lodge was going to be opening for the season, and maybe they could squeeze in a weekend trip before it got too busy?
So, after their respective last classes of the day, Caleb grabs a bag of weekend stuff and picks Neil up to go to the tram station that'll bring them up the mountain.
The staff are incredibly friendly, and completely nonjudgmental about a pair of college dudes staying in a room together. They get them their keys, tell them the basics of the lodge rules, and invite them to call the front desk if they have any problems or questions.
"This place is so cool," Caleb murmurs as he takes in the room. They have it until Sunday afternoon, and he plans on taking full advantage of this. It's not exactly a new level of privacy for them: Caleb lives alone in his apartment, after all. But it's all different, and a place Caleb's never been, and that makes it exciting in a way that'll probably seem silly after the weekend's up.
So, after their respective last classes of the day, Caleb grabs a bag of weekend stuff and picks Neil up to go to the tram station that'll bring them up the mountain.
The staff are incredibly friendly, and completely nonjudgmental about a pair of college dudes staying in a room together. They get them their keys, tell them the basics of the lodge rules, and invite them to call the front desk if they have any problems or questions.
"This place is so cool," Caleb murmurs as he takes in the room. They have it until Sunday afternoon, and he plans on taking full advantage of this. It's not exactly a new level of privacy for them: Caleb lives alone in his apartment, after all. But it's all different, and a place Caleb's never been, and that makes it exciting in a way that'll probably seem silly after the weekend's up.
(no subject)
Jul. 14th, 2020 03:45 pmIt starts much like any other day that Caleb and Neil hang out. It's a gorgeous summer day, and Caleb invites Neil out to the boardwalk. Caleb holds Neil's hand as they walk, fingers laced together and hands swinging gently between them as they go. It's soft, and warm, and good, and when they get back to Caleb's apartment, it's so easy to press Neil against the counter and kiss him.
Neil's skin is sun-warmed and golden as the arousal passing between them. Caleb isn't shy about licking into his mouth, about tasting him, not anymore. They've been together almost a month, now. This part is easy.
Neil's skin is sun-warmed and golden as the arousal passing between them. Caleb isn't shy about licking into his mouth, about tasting him, not anymore. They've been together almost a month, now. This part is easy.
(no subject)
Jul. 1st, 2020 10:47 amIt's a gorgeous summer day, and Caleb's wearing an a-line tank and knee-length shorts as he holds a copy of the play Neil's picked for Shakespeare in the Park. He's supposed to be helping him run lines (like Neil even needs it, he knows more about Shakespeare than anyone Caleb's met), but he keeps getting distracted by the soft golden joy radiating from him. Neil will read a line, and Caleb will get caught up listening and feeling, and find himself just watching him, smiling softly while Neil waits for the response.
Then Caleb blushes and fumbles through the lines, and it's silly, and embarrassing, but Neil isn't mad. He's quietly amused and fond, and Caleb finds himself smiling even wider.
"Sorry," he mumbles, looking shyly at the book in his hand.
Then Caleb blushes and fumbles through the lines, and it's silly, and embarrassing, but Neil isn't mad. He's quietly amused and fond, and Caleb finds himself smiling even wider.
"Sorry," he mumbles, looking shyly at the book in his hand.
(no subject)
Jun. 20th, 2020 09:16 amCaleb knows he over-thinks things. He's spent the last two weeks thinking about Neil's butterflies, and the soft, deep blue of his feelings, and how, most of the time, Caleb feels green around him.
It isn't the same green he'd felt with Adam. Neil doesn't have that blue-green ocean that Adam does. Neil's is darker, like the night sky, just before the sun disappears fully below the horizon. It's this impossible, velvety navy, glittering with galaxies along the edges, and when Caleb is around him, it fills him up, and turns everything into a deeper green than he's used to — a soft, comfortable mossy green that Caleb wants to lay on.
It's nothing like Clint at all. Clint's feelings didn't mesh with Caleb's, which is probably why Caleb never felt comfortable doing more than kissing. And the longer that Caleb has spent with Neil, the more he realizes: he wants to kiss him. A lot. At first, he'd thought it was just Neil's feelings, edging into Caleb's belly and making him feel excited and hopeful. And maybe at first, it was. But it's been weeks, and Caleb's been able to check in with himself more and more, and now, he knows.
He has feelings for Neil.
He talks with Dr. Fuller about it at his latest therapy session, trying to get a more objective perspective on things. And it helps. It really helps. Caleb makes a decision, and after therapy, he pulls his phone out and texts Neil.
Hey, are u busy?
It isn't the same green he'd felt with Adam. Neil doesn't have that blue-green ocean that Adam does. Neil's is darker, like the night sky, just before the sun disappears fully below the horizon. It's this impossible, velvety navy, glittering with galaxies along the edges, and when Caleb is around him, it fills him up, and turns everything into a deeper green than he's used to — a soft, comfortable mossy green that Caleb wants to lay on.
It's nothing like Clint at all. Clint's feelings didn't mesh with Caleb's, which is probably why Caleb never felt comfortable doing more than kissing. And the longer that Caleb has spent with Neil, the more he realizes: he wants to kiss him. A lot. At first, he'd thought it was just Neil's feelings, edging into Caleb's belly and making him feel excited and hopeful. And maybe at first, it was. But it's been weeks, and Caleb's been able to check in with himself more and more, and now, he knows.
He has feelings for Neil.
He talks with Dr. Fuller about it at his latest therapy session, trying to get a more objective perspective on things. And it helps. It really helps. Caleb makes a decision, and after therapy, he pulls his phone out and texts Neil.
Hey, are u busy?
(no subject)
May. 31st, 2020 03:09 amCaleb sends the text before he goes into therapy, so he isn't fixated on waiting for Neil's response. Which, he isn't. He wouldn't be. It's not a date, or anything. It's a simple invite to go shopping and grab some lunch. Neil had seen firsthand how bare Caleb's apartment is, and he wouldn't mind some help getting something a little more... homey.
It's probably playing with fire, honestly. When he's with Neil, Caleb can feel the butterflies, and the actual horniness can get a little overwhelming, but Caleb thinks, probably, that he can handle it. It's just another thing to learn how to balance, right? And now that Dr. Fuller knows about his ability, it'll be easier to find an effective way to do that.
He thinks.
He hopes.
After therapy, he checks his phone, and smiles when he sees an answer. Caleb offers to pick him up, unless he'd rather meet at the store.
It's probably playing with fire, honestly. When he's with Neil, Caleb can feel the butterflies, and the actual horniness can get a little overwhelming, but Caleb thinks, probably, that he can handle it. It's just another thing to learn how to balance, right? And now that Dr. Fuller knows about his ability, it'll be easier to find an effective way to do that.
He thinks.
He hopes.
After therapy, he checks his phone, and smiles when he sees an answer. Caleb offers to pick him up, unless he'd rather meet at the store.
timed to March 12
Michael's back at the shop, but it's mostly just short shifts here and there. Today in particular, he and Caleb are working on an old rust bucket that someone wants to get road-worthy. It's not possible, but they'd been told to at least try.
Whatever, they're getting paid.
There's a bracket in the engine that holds the battery in place. Caleb's learned by now that not all cars have this bracket in this particular configuration, but he's also learned that this particular configuration is an absolute bitch to deal with.
He should ask Michael to use his powers, to get the bracket out. He'd be able to, with ease, probably. But there are too many people around. The shop is unusually busy, and although everyone has their own projects, Caleb's worried he'll be seen. So he doesn't ask, just keeps fucking with the bracket.
It finally gives, but it's unexpected and abrupt, and Caleb sort of yelps, falling forward. Then he freezes as pain shoots through his arm. He carefully tries to pull his arm out, but it's stuck. Fuck. Panic rises like bile and he looks around for Michael.
Michael's back at the shop, but it's mostly just short shifts here and there. Today in particular, he and Caleb are working on an old rust bucket that someone wants to get road-worthy. It's not possible, but they'd been told to at least try.
Whatever, they're getting paid.
There's a bracket in the engine that holds the battery in place. Caleb's learned by now that not all cars have this bracket in this particular configuration, but he's also learned that this particular configuration is an absolute bitch to deal with.
He should ask Michael to use his powers, to get the bracket out. He'd be able to, with ease, probably. But there are too many people around. The shop is unusually busy, and although everyone has their own projects, Caleb's worried he'll be seen. So he doesn't ask, just keeps fucking with the bracket.
It finally gives, but it's unexpected and abrupt, and Caleb sort of yelps, falling forward. Then he freezes as pain shoots through his arm. He carefully tries to pull his arm out, but it's stuck. Fuck. Panic rises like bile and he looks around for Michael.
(no subject)
Feb. 15th, 2020 12:30 pmset the following day after this thread
Caleb stirs awake, wrapped tightly around a warm body, and for a moment, his sleepy brain has forgotten the day before. For a moment, he's wrapped around a warm body, and his dick is half-hard in the early morning, and he has no idea who's in his bed. He starts to pull away before the scents around him start to make sense, and he can't stop the grin blooming on his face before he leans back in again, and he nuzzles Adam's shoulder and neck.
Adam. He breathes the scent of his skin, arms tightening a little. He can feel Adam waking up. Loose, quiet threads of blue-green reach out to him, and slowly the world turns green again.
"G'morning," he murmurs, careful not to let his sleepy morning breath get in Adam's face.
Caleb stirs awake, wrapped tightly around a warm body, and for a moment, his sleepy brain has forgotten the day before. For a moment, he's wrapped around a warm body, and his dick is half-hard in the early morning, and he has no idea who's in his bed. He starts to pull away before the scents around him start to make sense, and he can't stop the grin blooming on his face before he leans back in again, and he nuzzles Adam's shoulder and neck.
Adam. He breathes the scent of his skin, arms tightening a little. He can feel Adam waking up. Loose, quiet threads of blue-green reach out to him, and slowly the world turns green again.
"G'morning," he murmurs, careful not to let his sleepy morning breath get in Adam's face.
(no subject)
Feb. 13th, 2020 02:42 pmthe Darrow AU that nobody asked for
Caleb's been living in this weird, impossible city for about two weeks, now. He'd shown up on his way to the park to meet Adam, to have the conversation he should've had two months ago, and when he'd rounded the corner, he'd found himself on beachfront property. The house staring at him wasn't his, and it wasn't Adam's. An unfamiliar color was seeping from it, and he'd been afraid and confused.
But then he'd met Michael and Alex. They'd explained some things, and offered him one of their spare bedrooms, and he'd tentatively accepted.
And that was when it'd started.
Caleb had known it was only a matter of time before he learned how far, how deep, and how specifically his ability reached. He just hadn't expected it to be this way.
Almost every night, Michael and Alex have sex. Make love. Whatever. And every single time that happens, Caleb feels it. He feels both of their arousal, their pleasure, their sweeping joy, pouring into him like molten honey, amber and hot and thick, clinging to him and making him whimper into the pillow. The first night it'd happened, he'd come so hard his balls hurt the next day.
He'd had to wash his bedding before school the next morning. It hadn't gotten better from there. And since neither Alex nor Michael know that Caleb's Atypical, neither of them realize what they're doing, how it affects him. Which means he also isn't letting them wash his sheets. He sets his alarm early, even on days he doesn't have school, so he can get up and wash them, put fresh bedding on, and fold the newly cleaned ones and put them away before either Michael or Alex suspect anything's going on.
Which is why, on a Saturday, he's rolling out of bed, utterly exhausted, at four in the morning. He pulls sheets that smell of spunk and stale sweat off the mattress and shuffles down into the laundry room. Fuck, he's tired.
Caleb's been living in this weird, impossible city for about two weeks, now. He'd shown up on his way to the park to meet Adam, to have the conversation he should've had two months ago, and when he'd rounded the corner, he'd found himself on beachfront property. The house staring at him wasn't his, and it wasn't Adam's. An unfamiliar color was seeping from it, and he'd been afraid and confused.
But then he'd met Michael and Alex. They'd explained some things, and offered him one of their spare bedrooms, and he'd tentatively accepted.
And that was when it'd started.
Caleb had known it was only a matter of time before he learned how far, how deep, and how specifically his ability reached. He just hadn't expected it to be this way.
Almost every night, Michael and Alex have sex. Make love. Whatever. And every single time that happens, Caleb feels it. He feels both of their arousal, their pleasure, their sweeping joy, pouring into him like molten honey, amber and hot and thick, clinging to him and making him whimper into the pillow. The first night it'd happened, he'd come so hard his balls hurt the next day.
He'd had to wash his bedding before school the next morning. It hadn't gotten better from there. And since neither Alex nor Michael know that Caleb's Atypical, neither of them realize what they're doing, how it affects him. Which means he also isn't letting them wash his sheets. He sets his alarm early, even on days he doesn't have school, so he can get up and wash them, put fresh bedding on, and fold the newly cleaned ones and put them away before either Michael or Alex suspect anything's going on.
Which is why, on a Saturday, he's rolling out of bed, utterly exhausted, at four in the morning. He pulls sheets that smell of spunk and stale sweat off the mattress and shuffles down into the laundry room. Fuck, he's tired.
