Chapter 294: A date and a little experience
The rest of the shopping experience went smoothly. So smoothly, that Cass didn’t even realise that night was approaching and that they had been out for hours.
Cass, when he realised how late it was getting at that Sir Sanders hadn’t said anything, felt his whole body stiffen and his face flush. Edgar was in the middle of saying something to him, chatting away, while Cass was having a damn moment.
He’d never lost track of time like this. Not outside of work. He hadn’t even considered that he’d have so much fun mocking the fashion trends of this time with Edgar, selecting new outfits for them, and everything else that came with that.
They even took a break to go have tea at a store! And Edgar had tea with him!
Edgar was right, they were on a fucking date and Cass hadn’t even been aware of it. Not only had he not been aware, he’d had a good time!
Cass felt a shiver run through his body, an emotion overcoming him. He wasn’t sure what it was, but Edgar noticed that Cass had halted in his tracks and turned, finding him frozen. The happiness on his face froze, before he turned, gently grabbing Cass’ upper arm and looking him over.
"Cass? Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost." Edgar looked very upset. "Is something wrong, Babe? Was there something in the tea? It’s been long enough that if you were going to have a reaction, it would have been a lot sooner, but I’m no expert on this." Edgar muttered quietly. He glanced around the street, making sure that they were alone. "Or is it something else? Did you see someone?" Edgar asked, concerned and Cass had to take a shaky breath in.
How the hell was he supposed to tell him that he was like this because he realised he’d had a good time, and that was very shocking to him? Especially after his blow up on the other man earlier in the day?
Cass was flustered, unsure, and even he was getting self conscious that they were in the middle of the street. It would have been much better for Cass if he’d come to this realisation in a store. Less prying eyes, but of course, that didn’t happen.
The only good thing about where they were was the fact that it had mostly cleared out, the cafes were closing, and there were no late night pubs or bars in the area. Taverns was probably a more appropriate term for the time, but they were what they were.
That meant that while there was a bit of carriage action around, the amount of people around was few and far between. Cass and Edgar could have a moment with relative privacy without having to duck into a side street again.
"My Lord, a heads up. Someone is fast approaching." Sir Sanders spoke up calmly from behind him and Cass gave him a look. So did Edgar. Someone was fast approaching and the man was only giving him a warning? He wasn’t going to protect him? Who the hell-
"Oh thank goodness I found both of you!" It was a loud shout from across the street, before a loud neigh could be heard and then a tall shadow fell over both Edgar and Cass.
Cass didn’t need to think too hard about who it was now.
Lucian, in all of his dragon, ginormous height, loomed over them. His eyes were glowing orange, but weren’t slitted like a dragon. They were ’normal’ human eyes. Cass was pretty sure the man didn’t really know what ’normal’ actually meant.
Lucian didn’t actually look mad, which was surprising. Cass kind of thought that he...would be. He wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was because they had been out as long as they had. That seemed like something that Lucian would get mad at.
As if able to read Cass’ mind, Lucian slid his hands to his hips and scanned over the two men.
"You two didn’t get up to anything without me, did you?" Lucian asked. Cass blinked, staring up at him in silence before Edgar coughed.
"Oh, just a little." Edgar told him, and Lucian narrowed his gaze at him. Then he slid his gaze to Cass.
"How little are we talking? Did you two book a hotel?" Edgar demanded.
In the street.
Cass slapped his hand over Lucian’s mouth, having to step closer to the other man as he did so. He was practically stepping on his toes.
"Lucian!" Cass hissed. "You cannot be implying such things in the middle of the damn street! People are going to think things!" Cass was mortified. Lucian narrowed his gaze further, while Edgar started laughing behind him.
"No, Lucy. We were very respectable, and only did it in the carriage. Cass and I have been mostly in and out of stores today. Shopping." Edgar’s blue eyes took on a similar, glowing quality as Lucian’s and Cass groaned. What were they, the glowing eye gang?
Cass fucking hoped he wasn’t a part of the gang.
Lucian grabbed Cass’ hand, taking it off of his mouth but did not release it. Instead, he turned his hand and interlocked his fingers with Cass’. Cass felt his face warm again.
"Oh good. Cass likes respectable." Lucian said with conviction and Edgar chuckled.
"Hmm. I dunno. He seemed pretty disrespectful in the carriage. He just likes to keep up appearances." Edgar corrected and Cass hated this. He hated that they were getting so damn close. That they were able to discuss him like this, and that they were fucking right.
Both him and Lord Blackburn were focused on keeping up some kind of appearances. Lord Blackburn was far more insistent on it, but Cass?
He liked to have some kind of protection. Some kind of armor. He wasn’t doing it for the sake of making others happy, it was more about his safety.
Lucian slid his gaze to Cass, watching him. Watching Cass as he squirmed, looking and feeling uncomfortable and guilty. Why guilt? He did nothing to feel guilty for. They didn’t feel guilty about kissing him. Cass shouldn’t feel the same way.
Lucian’s lips slowly turned up in a smile so tantalizing that Cass felt like his heart had stopped.
"Is that true? Well then, let’s get you home, Lord Blackburn. Where’s that carriage?" Lucian asked, and Sir Sanders, being supportive, pointed Lucian, Edgar and Cass in the right direction.
Cass was flushed as he was tugged along to the carriage, Edgar and Cass’ ’date’ finished for the day. Edgar didn’t seem all that upset that it was finished.
He was all smiles beside Lucian and Cass, and was happy to tell Lucian about how the day went. Lucian, for his part, responded in kind. Letting Edgar know about how his hunt went, how he was able to spot Sam and Byron while he was out.
Cass didn’t speak up, just listening to the two of them chat. He was glad to hear that he had spotted Byron and Sam, and from the sounds of it, they were a lot closer than they had predicted.
Lucian also let Sir Sanders know that Ser Hune was fine. Lonely, but fine, and Sir Sanders appreciated the update. Cass wondered why the man was giving him that, but didn’t really question it. They were married, after all. Maybe Lucian was just looking out for the man? Looking out for a fellow fairy because Cass was also one?
Cass didn’t think about it too hard.
He had bigger fish to fry.
As soon as they got to the carriage, Cass realised it was overloaded with things. He hadn’t realised that he’d bought so much, and it was Edgar who leaned in, a mischievous grin on his face, as he whispered to Cass.
"I have already sent the carriage back to the house twice considering how much we bought." He teased, leaning in further to press a quick kiss to Cass’ cheek. "Thank you, my wealthy husband." Edgar teased and Cass sucked air into his lungs. He knew he was flushed, embarrassed, as Edgar pulled his handsome face away with a grin.
"Edgar!" Cass hissed, noticing a damn trend. The two of them liked to watch him get worked up.
Both Edgar and Lucian were grinning at him.
"Come on, Sweetness. He’s only speaking the truth. You are our wealthy husband." Lucian said softly, his gaze just as soft. "Now, come inside the carriage, hmm? Shouldn’t we head home now? One more sleep and your precious servant shall be in the city with us." Lucian was trying to coax him into the carriage.
Cass knew damn well what was probably going to happen once he got into the carriage. His cheeks warmed as he imagined it, his heart racing.
It would probably be something similar to what happened on the bed before. But in a moving carriage. Cass let out a shaky breath.
"You two are taking advantage of me." Cass muttered quietly and both men froze.
"Do you not like this?" Edgar asked, stricken. Lucian didn’t look much better.
"If you don’t, slap us." Lucian told him seriously, and Cass’ resolve just...evaporated. It was such a different reaction from when they were in the dungeon that he just...
He closed his eyes for a second, gathering himself, taking a moment to center himself. He should consider this experience. Yup. Just experience.
If he wasn’t going to spend the next week with something, he could fall back on these memories to help him get through it. Maybe that would help? How fucking knew.
Even to Cass these sounded like weak excuses.
"I don’t hate it." Cass muttered. "Just...stop testing me. Or gentling me. I’m a damn man." Cass declared, glaring at them and Edgar blinked. Lucian’s expression softened.
"I am aware." Lucian said, his voice deep, seductive. "I wouldn’t be working this hard if you were anything but yourself. Do you need help getting into the carriage, sweetness?" Lucian asked and Cass shook his head, yanking open the door to the carriage and getting in.
He knew damn well what he was about to walk into, and he was going to do it with his own two hands.