Chapter 289: A full view
The soft sound of water sloshing about in a basin, filled the air, along with Cass’ breaths. They were fast, a little hesitant, and full of every ounce of discomfort a man could feel.
Especially when alone in a warm, steamy room, naked and wet, with a man who had touched his penis before with intention. If Cass had been alone in a room with a doctor while having a bath, he was fairly certain he wouldn’t be having these kinds of concerning thoughts in his head.
Cass shifted again, the water sloshing and Cass winced. Edgar’s soft chuckle filled his ears and Cass’ cheeks burned as he turned to look towards the man.
Edgar was in the room with him, his top two layers of his shirt off and his sleeves rolled up. Edgar had resisted being any more naked, simply because he was worried about being able to control himself.
He also had made a jab at Cass, but then told him truly that he was sure that Lucian would take it as a challenge and Edgar wasn’t wanting to make the night harder on Cass. If Lucian thought that they were getting up to funny business, even Edgar wasn’t sure how he would react.
So, they had come to a few concession points. Edgar wouldn’t wear a blindfold, but he would have a chair in the bathroom and he would be angled away from any mirrors. Unlike the vampires from the myths that Cass knew from his world, Edgar could see through and be perceived by mirrors.
Cass didn’t know the full lore behind it, but he guessed it was some kind of material or some stupid reason why vampires couldn’t use mirrors. It also wouldn’t make sense for someone like Edgar who was so concerned with his appearance.
Edgar wanted to make sure that this was an enjoyable, relaxing experience for Cass, since he deserved it. So, he’d gotten him a glass of the same wine that Edgar enjoyed, with a damn sparkle in his eye, as well as pulled out a book so that he could understand and share a moment with Cass.
The book that Cass had leant him.
The book he had badmouthed earlier that night.
Cass had lunged at it immediately, while clothed at the time, and had demanded to have it back. Edgar had laughed and held it above his head, smiling. He apologised immediately, and even Cass knew it was just him blowing smoke up his ass. The smirk on his lips told him that the man didn’t mean a word out of his mouth and just enjoyed having Cass try to claw the book back.
Cass was pissed that Edgar was showing off how he was just a few more inches taller than him. It was so fucking annoying, and Cass eventually got so mad he had nearly screamed and had dug his hand into Edgar’s hair and pulled.
It had been a foolish act, and a petty one. What had happened in response was something that neither man was really addressing.
Edgar had moaned, his eyes rolling back into his head as Cass had yanked on his hair unkindly, and then both men had frozen.
Cass because he had done something barbaric to the man over a damn book, and Edgar had frozen because he’d moaned like a whore in heat.
Cass hated that he was familiar with both situations.
Now, they sat in the bathroom, Cass fully naked and doing his best to relax given the situation, and Edgar being on his best behaviour. Cass had let him keep the book, and Edgar hadn’t made a comment on it. They were fucking lucky that neither Lucian or Sir Forsythe had come in to check on them. If either one of them had...
Cass shuddered, not wanting to think about it.
"Having some difficulties?" Edgar’s voice filled the air and Cass gulped, turning towards the back of the other man. It was warm enough that Cass could see his thin white shirt sticking to the back of him. Cass looked away quickly.
That didn’t feel right to see, not right now. Not after what he’d heard.
"Uh, well..." Cass trailed off, trying to think of a reason that wasn’t the truth, but could be close enough to the truth. He was awkward because Edgar was here. He was awkward because he never bathed with anything. He was awkward because it was in his nature to be awkward with someone who liked it when Cass was rough with them.
He’d never heard another man make a noise like that. Cass wasn’t really one to watch porn, and it was all acting anyways. He never took it seriously.
That had been...
Cass was ashamed of how he was behaving. Having ’some difficulties’ was putting what he was feeling rather mildly.
"I just...I’m not used to not being able to touch the other side of the tub with my toes. There isn’t really anything for me to lean against in this tub so that I can read properly. I’m worried I’m going to get the book wet." Cass told him. It wasn’t a lie, that was something Cass was worried about.
It just wasn’t the concern that was pounding him over the head.
Edgar shuffled on his seat, and Cass glanced over at him. It was dangerous being in this room with him. It wasn’t even as small as the bathroom that he had back at the manor. This was a rather giant bathroom, but it still felt too small for the two of them to be in there at the same time.
"Hmm. That is rather concerning for someone who enjoys books like you do. Have you thought about rolling over and using a chair or table outside of the tub to support your book? Or the tiles nearby?" It wasn’t a terrible suggestion.
One half of the newly modified tub had steps going up to it that were tiled expertly. Cass tried not to think about the fact that Lucian had done that. He assumed he’d done it with magic, not that he was a skilled tradesman. That would only make things more complicated for him.
The other half was at the same height it had been at before, so a table or chair could work. Cass made a soft noise of contemplation, unsure.
"Fuck. This is so damn annoying. I know he was just trying to do something nice..." Cass grumbled, and Edgar laughed lightly in response.
"His heart was in the right place." Edgar told him, defending his fellow husband. Cass grumbled.
"Hearts, Edgar. He has more than one. I think two." Cass told him bitterly and that only made Edgar’s shoulders shake. The chair creaked under him, a wooden chair in a warm, damp bathroom, and Cass narrowed his eyes.
It was an old house, but it was run by fairies, and while this might be a romance novel, they wouldn’t do something as nefarious as have the chair break while Cass was in a compromising position, right?
Cass narrowed his eyes, suddenly distrusting.
"Well, my suggestion is trying the tiles first. It might be a little damp, but if the cover gets wet you can always dry it. It’s the pages you are more worried about, right?" Edgar suggested and Cass, reluctant to the max now that he’d had the fucking thought, turned slowly.
He did his best to turn slowly, keeping the book dry since he kept it further away. He was slippery, the edge wasn’t that great, and he was concerned. He was right to be so. As soon as he felt like he had gotten into a position where his legs were floating and he was relatively stable, he reached for the book.
And slipped completely into the water.
Cass came up sputtering, coughing and pissed. He was like a wet cat, hissing and spitting. Edgar’s laughter echoed around him in the bathroom and Cass flipped off his back.
"Oh, shut up!" Cass yelled, frustrated and Edgar tried his best to control his laughter.
"I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t be laughing, but I just couldn’t help myself. You just sound so angry." Edgar said, still chuckling. Cass pushed his hair out of his face, huffing. He had no intention of getting it wet before this, but now here he was.
He was standing in the tub, pissed, wet, and frustrated for several reasons.
Like what he’d fucking worried about, Cass and Edgar heard a loud creak before a snap filled the air and Cass watched in horror as Edgar toppled back, spilling wine all over his white shirt and down the front of him, book in the air with his other hand, as the chair broke out from underneath him.
Cass stared, literally dumbfounded that he’d fucking predicted it while Edgar stared up at him in shock. Both of their mouths were open, before Cass, self conscious, covered his junk.
"Are you alright?" Cass asked, before Edgar burst out into more laughter. Then they heard someone knocking on the door. It was Lucian, of course it was Lucian.
"Are you two alright? I heard a loud snapping noise." Lucian’s voice held a little bit of desperation to his voice. Cass ducked himself into the water, his face warm as Edgar continued to laugh and sat up.
"We’re fine! The chair that I brought it collapsed and Cass got a little show." Edgar teased, giving Cass a charming, handsome smile that had Cass turning away from the other man.
"Are you sure? You aren’t hurt?" Lucian confirmed. "Do I need to come in?" Cass felt his eyes widen at the dragon’s offer and Edgar snorted.
"We’re fine. Cass is already embarrassed enough as it is. He was standing up when the chair collapsed." There was a long pause before Lucian let out a long, loud sigh.
"You damn asshole. I can’t believe you got to see him naked." Lucian complained, and Cass felt his eyes go wide. The man was behaving as if he hadn’t seen Cass completely naked before! He’d even got to see him longer!
Cass wanted to complain, call him out, but at the same time...
Edgar didn’t need to know that.
"It’s a hazard of making sure he’s okay. Now go back outside, you guard dragon." Edgar’s voice held a hint of amusement while Lucian turned, his muttering fading as he moved further away from the door. Edgar sighed, and Cass glanced over at him. He looked annoyed, frustrated, and Cass pursed his lips.
"Do you want me to dry your shirt?" Cass asked and Edgar blinked, glancing in his direction. Since the ban had already been broken, Cass didn’t feel that upset about it. Plus, he was hunched in on himself so it wasn’t like there was anything to look at. He was all skin and bones anyways.
"Oh would you? I didn’t have much presence of mind to grab more clothes when we were sending a message last night." Edgar admitted and Cass furrowed his brows.
"You need clothes?" Cass asked and Edgar’s eyes went wide and he began to wave his hands in front of his face.
"I wasn’t asking for anything, I promise. I can make due until we get back home." That meant that the man had left everything behind, including what he’d taken with him to the dungeon.
"What about your time magic bag?" Cass asked and watched as Edgar squirmed. Cass let out a deep sigh. "It sounds like Ser Hune is going on a secret midnight visit tonight." Cass muttered quietly and Edgar grew flustered.
"Cass, you don’t need to! It’s not necessary!" Edgar protested and Cass gave the man a glare.
"Not necessary? I know that you use clothes like armor. You’re practically defenseless and I won’t stand for it." Cass told him hotly and Edgar, slightly nervous and hysterical at this point, gave a soft chuckle.
"You aren’t even standing and you aren’t clothes either, Cass. I’ll be fine. I don’t want to cause you any further problems." Cass let out a frustrated noise.
"You aren’t bothering me! I just don’t like the idea of them having anything that belongs to us!" Cass shouted, annoyed, and Edgar stared at Cass. Cass realised what he’d said and his face flushed. He looked away from Edgar as soon as he felt the man beginning to soften.
"Is that right?" He asked softly and Cass growled.
"Shut up." He protested, annoyed. "Turn away. I’m getting out now. There is no point in relaxing anymore." Cass grumbled and Edgar sat up, turned. He stayed there, chuckling as he listened to Cass get out of the bath.
"Us, huh?" Edgar whispered and Cass glared at the back of his head. He could think whatever he wanted. Cass didn’t even care anymore.