Chapter 245: A cookie cutter lesbian house
Fiona’s house was a modern day detached home out of a wet dream. With the current housing crisis back home, this felt very unfair. Cass tried not to think about it too deeply, since they were different times, different worlds. There was no cross between them, there was no way for them to be crossed.
He just took a minute before following everyone to stare at the house and realise that back home it would be like a 1.2 million historic home. That price would be out of the city, not in it. In it? He didn’t even want to think about how damn expensive it would be.
"Cass? Are you okay?" It was Fiona, who had been ahead of him chatting and giggling with Lady Ava. She had stopped when she realised that Cass was halted at the little wrought iron gate, hands on his hips, staring up.
Cass shook his head, not even aware that Lucian was beside him as he stared up at the gate until he began to move towards Fiona and jerked when his hand brushed against his side as he attempted to close the gate on him.
Lucian grinned at Cass’ shocked behaviour.
"What? Did you think I went ahead with them? I’m not interested in being around two individuals who are so sickly sweet I’m going to get a toothache in my original body." Lucian told him and Cass stared up at him, his mouth agape. He didn’t think Lucian would say that, and Lucian raised an eyebrow before gently placing his hand on Cass’ lower back, encouraging him forward. "Let’s not keep them waiting, hmm?" Lucian encouraged and Cass felt a small shiver run up his spine at the touch.
Lucian’s hand was gone just as quickly, the other man smiling at him as they moved towards the stopped pair.
"Everything alright?" Fiona asked, and Cass realised that she kept asking if he was okay. He was fine. Of course he was fine. He was away from the temple, had gotten a ’free pass’ from the gods for his dirty dirty blood, and now he was about to speak to a realtor. And a banker.
Shit. He was supposed to speak to them first. Ah, it was alright. He was sure that Lord Blackburn was thorough enough that he made sure whoever he worked with would know the procedures he’d put in place.
The man was a thorough bitch, that was for sure. Cass’ chest swelled with pride. He did like that about the man. Even if it was born from a place of anxiety and losing of his personhood. And people spying on him, which was proving to be true!
Cass sighed heavily.
"Totally. I was just thinking about how much this house cost." Cass told her, not explaining himself more. Fiona’s face changed from her expression of concern, relaxing almost completely into a smile.
"Ah. I see. Thinking about what you’ve bought in town?" She asked and Cass was honest with her.
"I don’t actually remember what I bought, which is why I’m having a meeting with a realtor who apparently, I and Edgar deal with." Cass told them and Lady Ava’s eyes widened.
"Oh no. That’s not good. Is that a permanent thing?" Lady Ava asked, covering her mouth with worry and Cass chuckled. He shrugged.
"Maybe? It’s alright though." Cass told them, bellying the worry he normally had just to make sure they didn’t probe more. He really didn’t need to get existential right now, and especially not with Lady Ava around.
He didn’t think she’d get it, but Fiona probably would. Maybe Lucian. Probably Edgar.
Lord Ridgewood should only show up if he wants to get beat up, or kiss his feet like Lucian was doing. The man better be fucking ready to wear a damn collar if he wanted to be anywhere near Cass right now, especially since Fiona was feeling murderous right now as well.
Lucian sighed.
"It is natural to forget things as you age. While it can be bittersweet, it is for the safety of your own mind." Lucian said before he chuckled. "Now we should get inside so that the quiet onlookers leave us alone." Lucian’s words had Cass looking around without a hint of subtlety.
"Are they normal people or people from the temple?" Cass asked, unable to see them. Fiona was getting Lady Ava in the door while Lucian was gently guiding Cass into the building as well.
"Does it matter? I would rather them not stare at you the way that they are." Lucian said, and that answered some of his questions. It was probably his grandfather’s people. He didn’t need to ask more probing questions then.
The interior of the house was...very much like Fiona. Cass was realising that she had a rather good sense of fashion and interior design. It was soft, warm and welcoming. There were accent colours, but everything felt smooth, like one connecting quilt.
Cass was a little envious of it, actually, and how spacious it felt. The living room was to the left, the office or den to the right. The stairs were in front of his face, with a hallway going past them and Cass could see the door to the garden past it. There were a few more rooms along the way, showing that it wasn’t just a box, but wasn’t as giant as the rooms she had in Lord Blackburn’s mansion.
This home suited her, and Fiona was beaming as she gestured around.
"This is my home." She said, pride in her voice. "I’m sure you know, but I received it as a gift from the kingdom when I completed my hero ceremony. Cass made sure that they legally couldn’t take it away from me once we finished our mission." Fiona slid her gaze to Cass, her eyes warm. "I’m very grateful for that, now knowing everything that I know." She told him and Cass shuffled awkwardly.
All of this kindness and warmth felt a little awkward, but also good. This wasn’t meant for Cass, but Lord Blackburn. Lord Blackburn was shifting awkwardly inside of him too, flustered, confused. He hadn’t done it as a favour to Fiona, but as a way to protect her. He didn’t want her to worry that her relatives could take anything from her the same way that Lord Blackburn was fighting to make sure his family had no claim to anything he did.
Until he had claim on the whole fucking family, and even then, they would probably still be separate.
"Glad to help." Cass said dryly and Fiona chuckled. "So, where is the office? Just so that I can practise being an evil, intimidating man until they arrive?" Cass joked and everyone stared at him. Cass raised an eyebrow and Fiona jerked, pointing to the right.
"That room there Cass, and please, you were joking, right?" She asked and Cass shrugged.
"If they are good at their job, yeah." He confirmed and Lucian chuckled.
"I am assuming that the books are also there, Fiona?" Lucian asked and she nodded and Cass realised that this was an elaborate set up. He hadn’t considered the fact that Fiona would have a small enough house that she didn’t have a library, but also, she was like Lucian.
Why the hell would a muscle brained person have a library?
It was Cass’ downfall, and now the girls were off doing pretty girl things and kissing each other outside while Cass was stuck with Lucian who too, would like to do the pretty girl things and kiss Cass while inside.
Cass swallowed as he pushed open the door, a dragon shaped shadow behind him.
"I’ll keep to myself." Lucian promised as he closed the door behind them. It wasn’t a large room, barely fitting a desk in here along with a big, comfy chair. There were shelves built into the walls and Fiona had barely filled a quarter of them with books. There were a lot of trinkets though. Probably from their battles.
Cass noticed a brightly coloured piece of fabric about the size of his palm and realised that it was from the lich they had fought. Huh.
"As you should." Cass told him and Lucian chuckled.
"Do you need confirmation? Should I...?" Lucian trailed off and Cass gave him a glare.
"If you ask for it, it isn’t a punishment." Cass told him and Lucian’s lips split into a smile before he dropped his head, nodding.
"Of course. You’re right. I’m being bad for even suggesting it." Cass narrowed his eyes.
"You are getting some kind of enjoyment from this." He accused and Lucian flinched.
"I..." He let out a heavy sigh. "I can’t help it. I know it’s a punishment, I am aware of this and accept it, but..." He trailed off again before he exhaled. "I just like doing things with you. Even if they are painful, or hard, or embarrassing, I am going to find something to enjoy about it. I’m sorry. I know that isn’t a human behaviour, but it’s how dragons function. I do feel bad and do feel I deserve to be punished, I just also...like being with you." Lucian told him, raising his gaze to meet Cass’.
He didn’t know what to say to that.
The man was such a fucking simp that Cass could probably step on both of his cocks and he’d like it. Twisted. That was fucked up.
Cass narrowed his gaze.
"Have you always been inclined to this kind of behaviour?" Cass asked carefully and Lucian gave him a strange look. Confused.
"What kind of behaviour?" He asked and Cass sighed.
"The kind of behaviour where you think pleasure and pain are the same thing?" Cass asked, not beating around the bush. Lucian blinked several times before he covered his mouth, his gaze leaving Cass’ face as he looked off into the distance.
"Oh wow. Is that what this looks like? I just...hmm. To humans, yeah, I guess?" Lucian offered and Cass stared at him. "I believe I’ve said this before, but we dragons have thick skin. So over time we just like a...little more, you know?" Cass had an understanding of where the man was coming from, but he wasn’t sure he liked it.
"And you want me to do that to you? You don’t want to do that to me?" Cass asked and watched as Lucian’s gaze dilated and his pupils turned to that of his reptilian ancestors. Cass’ stomach twisted in knots.
"Well now, I think anyone who has skin as pale as yours would look great covered in marks, be it from my hands or mouth and teeth, but of course, not without you saying so. I’ve already fucked up once, I don’t want to do it again." Lucian took a step towards him and the air between them became charged. Lucian reached up, twisting a piece of Cass’ hair. "You can’t tell me that your ass and thighs wouldn’t look stunning with a few red marks, hmm? A palm print? Gorgeous." Lucian breathed and Cass flushed.
What was he expecting? Him to keep his mouth shut? Cass was a fool for even bringing it up.