"Essek..." Caleb choked on emotions for a second. Loved again, like this, he never imagined he'd have it after what he'd done. It settles in his chest like a precious gift, one to keep and tend to and let grow. To remember when they are apart. "I love you too."

Because he does. It had been the moment when he pulled Essek into his protection. The thought of losing him or seeing him fall was impossible to fathom. He knew in that moment how precious, how incredible, Essek was to him.

"I love you." He said it again because he could. Caleb laughed warmly and kissed Essek over and over, the joy bubbling over into the action. He gathered him up into his arms and lifted him off his feet for all of second before he had to put him down.

His strength really is nothing but the happiness is undeniable.