caleb's usually sharp eyes were clouded with a disbelieving haze. "are you sure about this?" he hesitated, his brows furrowing into a tight line.

it had seemed like such a harmless request, a simple, almost academic inquiry. "just practice," you'd said, your tone deliberately casual. "you know, for... situations. you never know when you might need to..." you'd trailed off, waving a hand vaguely.

the initial reaction had been explosive. caleb, normally cool and collected, had practically vibrated with a possessive fury. "practice what? with who?" he'd demanded, his voice dangerously low. the implication, that you might be practicing with some unknown, potentially male, entity, had sent him into a tailspin. he'd even started muttering about "teaching someone a lesson" or something like that.

it had taken a considerable amount of patient explanation, interspersed with eye-rolls and exasperated sighs, to clarify that you meant with him. that it was purely for theoretical, hypothetical, and completely innocent practice. "like a... simulation," you'd offered, trying to sound scientific.

after a long, drawn-out silence, punctuated by his occasional, suspicious glances, a strange sort of reluctant acceptance had settled over him. it wasn't that he was eager, exactly. more like, the sheer absurdity of the request, combined with your persuasive (and undeniably charming) persistence, had worn him down. or perhaps, a small, hidden part of him, that he'd never admit to, was intrigued.

now, though, as he stood before you, a flicker of doubt, or perhaps even a hint of nervous anticipation, played across his features. the air crackled with unspoken tension, a strange mix of awkwardness and something undeniably electric.

he watched you, a silent question in his eyes. he was clearly still trying to figure out if this was some elaborate prank, or if you were genuinely serious.