Everything was rather new for Caleb too. He had felt things like this before, but never to quite this extent. It may have been further complicated by the fact that his memories of Astrid and Wulf were constantly in flux between the hazy rose-colored impressions of the past and his knowledge of who they had become while working for Trent. There were the fledgling feelings he had for Essek too, but even that couldn't compare to the swell of warmth he felt when he was with Caduceus. Nothing he could imagine would ever compare with that. There was something about being here with him without most of the Nein that also gave him permission to explore these feelings without hesitation or concern for what the others might think. He saw how Veth teased Yasha and Beau or Jester and Fjord, and he didn't need that for himself. He loved her dearly, but sometimes she didn't know when to stop.
The invitation to dinner, then, was an especially exciting one. They usually ate in the Tower just because it was easier and, without constant threats nipping at their heels, Caleb had yet to have a day when he didn't have the energy to conjure it. They could relax there and let the cats do all the hard work. And then they could retire to one room or the other, or even the little facsimile of the Grove that he had made, and enjoy the rest of their night. This was different. This was better in some ways, because he knew that this came from a place of affection and care. It meant the world to him that Caduceus would go through all this work for him.
It took him a little bit to gather up his things and make his way up from the library. He hadn't been doing anything really important, but it was always best that he kept his mind busy. It tended to wander off on its own when it wasn't properly attended to. And no one benefitted from that. He still took his time making his way to their room, though, assuming that Caduceus would need the time to get things squared away properly. He wasn't one to rush, anyway. And he did have his arms full of books.
The smell hit him before he even opened their door, though, and Caleb couldn't help but pause for a moment just to smile. It was warm, comforting, and it reminded him of home. Caduceus was from a different sort of place entirely to the one that Caleb was from, but there was enough similarities that they had a good deal of overlap in their diets. The only real difference was that Caleb drank and Caduceus did not. Beer was just a part of his culture in the way that tea was a part of Caduceus' culture. And he'd seen the other man drunk exactly one too many times to suggest he try it. He shook himself from his thoughts and pushed open the door, glancing down as he was greeted by Frumpkin - who gave only the most cursory glance before strolling between Caleb's legs and out into the hall. The cat was entirely too smart for his own good. Another moment longer and he had settled his things on the desk and dipped into the bathroom where he found Caduceus still getting ready.
"You're very sweet, you know..." he said, nuzzling into the wet fur between Caduceus' shoulderblades and loosely wrapping his arms around the other man's waist. "You went through all this effort for me. And I appreciate it. I want you to know that."