Prompt | Something you, personally, associate with fall

Critical Role: Campaign Two: The Mighty Nein

WARNING: critical role is a more adult show so I don't recommend it to any young teens or people who are uncomfortable with swearing and mature subject matter. This one-shot will be fine though.

Personally I associate family with fall so I write an angsty one-shot about Caleb Widogast. One of the most angsty characters around.

❤️ - 🍁 - ❤️

"Bren! Get the food! It's going to burn!"

Bren blinked, he felt confused- lost, as if he'd just woken up from a long sleep. Why does his home feel so unfamiliar? As if he hadn't been there in a long time. Bren rubbed his temples, trying to think but the sounds of zemnian cursing made him forget all about it. Bren stood to go help pull the dishes out. He wrinkled his nose at the bitter smell of burning, holding his breath as he went to open the window.

Leofric Ermendrud laughed. It was deep and hearty as he waved his hand to clear the smoke. "That was a close one." He winked at Bren. "Your mother would've had my head."

Right on cue, Una entered, a slightly raised eyebrow directed to her husband as she stood in the entrance, her hands on her hips. "I step out for one minute-"

"Nothing happened, darling." Leofric chuckled. "The food is okay."

Una grumbled a little under her breath but her shoulders sagged with relief. They certainly weren't a rich family. They couldn't afford to waste the food. Leofric had worked himself to the bone trying to earn the money so they could celebrate. Bren frowned a little at that reminder but Una was glancing his way so he tried to rearrange his expression. But mother's always see right through you.

"It's not about the food, Bren," Una reminded him. "It's about family."

Bren nodded, his blue eyes warm as he looked at his mother. "Of course."

"I think it's time to eat!" Leofric clapped his hands together.

"We need to wait for it to cool!" Una scolded. She swatted his hand lightly with a towel, amusement in her grin as he backed away.

Leofric waved his hand. "We can start with some bread." Una rolled her eyes but she didn't argue anymore. With an exaggerated sigh she began to bring the food out.

Bren felt a warm feeling spread through his chest as he looked at their little table. A single candle was lit in the middle of it, plain silverware was on the table, and a few leaves Una had tied together to make a fall wreath were placed as decor. It was simple and minimalistic but it was something good. Something that made happy memories. Bren waited for his mother to sit before he took his place beside her.

Leofric reached over and they held hands and spoke a prayer for the empire. As Bren spoke the words something sour twisted in his stomach and he didn't understand why.

"Happy Erntedankfest, Bren," Una said softly, kissing him on the brow where his finger hair fell over his eyes. Bren smiled, taking the plate from her so that he could pass the food onto his father. "What are you thankful for?"

"Uh..." Bren hesitated. "I'm thankful for all of you." He reached for the bowl Una was holding but she didn't give it to him. Una's smile was suddenly cold.

"Then why did you do it?" She hissed.

"What?" Bren breathed.

Suddenly the room was a lot warmer. The candle's flame flickering dangerously. Bren felt panic cease him as slowly the house melted away and viscous red tongues replaced it, the fire licking at his skin dangerously.

"Mutter! Vater!" Bren cried out.

The couple stood in the shadows. Bren tried to run to them but the flames only rose higher. Una and Leofric stared at him, faces emotionless except for a single tear running down their cheeks. "Why did you do it?" They whispered.

Bren screamed as the fire engulfed them all...

*****

"Caleb!" Hands gently shook his shoulders. Ice ran through his veins and Caleb shot up gasping as if he had been dunked with cold water. He shivered all over, his hands trembling like leaves in the wind. Huge wide yellow eyes stared at him, concern evident in the horrifying but sweet goblin face. "Are you okay?" Nott frantically patted him. "What happened? You were gasping!"

"I'm fine, Nott." Caleb forced a shaky smile and ran a hand through his greasy hair. "Just a bad dream."

Nott frowned, obviously not believing him but to his relief, she dropped it. "You fell asleep reading again." She scolded, pointing to his unfinished book by his bed.

"Oh." Caleb rubbed his eyes. He wasn't surprised. He hadn't been sleeping much.

"Jester is preparing a feast downstairs for some human holiday Beau was talking about." Nott wrinkled her nose. "Thanks-for-nothing or something. Do you know about it?"

Caleb chuckled, it was rough and broken but real. "Ja," his accent was thick from sleep. "I used to celebrate it as a child."

"Really?" Nott's eyes widened with interest. The black slitted pupils blowing into circles.

Caleb coughed. "It was a very long time ago." He muttered, sitting up.

He pulled on his coat, adjusting the collar and began tying his hair back with some string. He hoped if he kept it out of the way Jester wouldn't notice how unwashed it was and Caleb could have a break from her pestering. Unfortunately, that was highly unlikely. The blue tiefling always seemed to notice what she wasn't supposed to.

Caleb froze when Nott stopped his hands before they could wrap the ginger locks anymore. "Wait! Can I braid it?" Nott looked up at the Zemnian man hopefully.

Caleb hesitated but relented. "Alright," he sighed. Nott cheered and scrambled onto the bed to stand behind him.

Though Caleb was tall he hunched over a lot, keeping his shoulders up as if to hide from the world. The difference it made with his height allowed Nott to reach his vibrant red hair and gently begin to weave it together. Caleb noticed her reaching in her pockets for trinkets she's stolen, selecting some of her favourites to tie in with the braid. He didn't complain, simply closing his eyes and enjoying the small tug of his scalp as she worked.

"Ta-da!" Nott said excitedly when she finished and she hopped down to look for the mirror. Neither Nott nor Caleb liked to see their reflection so she had to drag the object out from where she stashed it under the bed. Caleb was surprised when he saw himself. He looked dirty and tired, his striking blue eyes having their usual haunted, sad look to them but his hair... Caleb reached to touch it. The stray hairs that fell from it framed his face nicely, the little buttons and jewels Nott added sparkled in the candlelight like stars. Nott looked at him nervously, wringing her hands as she shifted from foot to foot.

"Do you like it?" Nott asked tentatively.

Caleb smiled, bending to kiss her on the forehead, just like Una had done in his dream. "I love it." He told her. Nott giggled, her mouth opening in her horrific smile. Her pointed teeth gleamed and it looked like she was snarling. Caleb wasn't scared though. This was his friend, his companion. This was Nott. Why would he be scared?

They sat there for a moment in silence. Enjoying the comfortable quiet between them as they leaned against each other, simply basking in the warmth of their relationship. The peace was broken when loud bouncy footsteps slammed their way down the hall and pounded on the door.

"CAAYYYYLEEB! NOTTT!" Jester sang through the door. "Are you cooommingg? I have lots of sweets!"

"And real food too." Fjord's voice joined hers. It was gentle but responsible, his deep drawl providing a nice contrast to Jester's cheerful, exuberant chatter.

"No one wants the vegetables, Fjord," Jester said like it was obvious. Caleb and Nott exchanged looks as they stood.

"We'll be right there," Caleb told them before Fjord could argue.

"Come faster," Jester commanded bluntly. Caleb listened as she flounced away, Fjord's much slower walk trailing behind.

Caleb went to open the door but Nott took his hand, drawing his attention back to her. "Are you sure your okay?" Nott said softly.

Caleb smiled. "Of course."

"Alright," Nott guided him out the door. "Jester says this holiday is about blessings. What are you thankful for?"

Caleb looked down at her, an unreadable expression on his face. Something... almost nostalgic.

"I'm thankful for all of you." He said simply.

NOTE*****
AHHH! I've been wanting to do a critical role one-shot for forever! Caleb is one of my favs along with Jester and Nott and I love Nott and Caleb's dynamic so much. It's so cuteee!

Anyways, sorry to anyone who had no idea what critical role is.

Some backstory on Caleb:

SPOILER ALERT (Also Caleb's backstory is very dark but I'm just summarizing some of it)
He was manipulated by a very bad man called Trent Ikithon and he ended up killing his parents by setting his house on fire. The trauma from it and guilt are what sets up the rest of his character. As well as causing him to change from his original name, Bren Ermendrud, to Caleb Widogast.

END OF SPOILER

Caleb and Nott fanart because I can.

Anywho, I hope you liked it!

LuckyBugBooks🐞