The silence in the carriage was deafening. Cass honestly didn’t think that it would be this awkward, but...maybe he should have realised that it would be this strained.
Edgar was clearly still feeling upset over yesterday. Which was fair, it wasn’t as if Cass had completely forgotten it either. He was just feeling better because he’d gotten something out of yesterday. He got a half deal with the gods. He’d gotten a new Saint that he could manipulate.
He got to threaten another Duke.
Cass was having a relatively good day compared to yesterday. He could not say the same for Edgar. If Cass put himself in Edgar’s shoes, he did feel a bit...bad. He’d probably woken up without Cass in the bed, thinking that he’d fucked up again. Moped about with Lucian, raced to find Cass and then spent the rest of the day twiddling his thumbs waiting for Cass to come back.
Yeah, that didn’t sound particularly fun to Cass.
"Edgar, is there anything in particular you want? Anywhere you like to shop?" Cass asked gently, carefully. He was a bit worried the man would jump out of his skin given the way he was looking.
It was like he was looking at an imprisoned prince. A man who had lost all hope. He still looked well dressed, but Cass recognised the outfit. That was something that Edgar didn’t like to do. He didn’t like to repeat outfits too close together, or at least that was what Cass thought. Hell, Cass didn’t even know how long it took to wash their clothes. Did it take longer because of the layers? Or did they use-that was a silly fucking question.
Of course they used magic to deal with laundry. Cass would do the same if he still had to wash his own laundry.
Edgar was sitting across from Cass, his hands in his lap, clenched around each other like he was about to pray. His knees were together, his body straight and upright. His hat was still on, and he was looking out of the window. His profile was sad, terribly so, and it was honestly making Cass’ heart hurt to see him like this.
If he cried? Yeah, Cass had no idea what he was going to do, but he would do his best to make him stop. Cass wasn’t heartless enough to not react if the man cried. At least, not today.
"I’m fine with wherever you would like to go." Edgar mumbled and Cass frowned. His brows drew together and he leaned back, crossing his arms. He stared at the other man, knowing full well that Edgar could feel his gaze on him. Edgar’s jaw twitched before Cass let out a heavy sigh. His whole body flinched.
"Edgar, that’s not what I’m asking. I don’t care where we go, and honestly? You probably know these shops better than I do. Previously, I didn’t care as long as it was expensive." Cass told him. Edgar swallowed, his throat bobbing in perfect view of Cass’ eyes. Cass narrowed his gaze.
Edgar knew that it was true. Hell, everyone in the mansion did. Sam was the only one in the mansion who was all for the expensive, gaudy clothing that Cass wore and that made him look like a villain.
The silence reigned for a little bit longer as Cass continued to watch Edgar. Without sighing, this time, which seemed to make Edgar squirm more. Cass hadn’t given Byron or the driver any other instructions besides drive. Cass had faith in Byron that as soon as Edgar said somewhere, he would go there. His hearing was better than both Cass’ and Edgar’s.
Edgar was twisting and turning in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with Cass just staring at him. Finally, he closed his eyes, his head dropping slightly as his shoulders rounded.
"There are a few that would be okay..." Edgar started before rattling off the stores. It was only three in total, but both Cass and Edgar could feel how the carriage shifted and turned. Edgar looked half embarrassed, half resigned to his fate. Cass didn’t uncross his arms, scanning the man across from him.
"Now, was that so hard?" Cass asked and Edgar flinched.
"I...I don’t want to bother you." Edgar mumbled and Cass let out a snort.
"Edgar. Silly, foolish Edgar. We both know it’s far too late for that, and as the de facto hero of the party now, it’s my job to take care of you even if you are bothering me." Cass didn’t mean for his words to sound harsh, but from the way that Edgar flinched like he’d been stabbed, Cass closed his eyes and wanted to groan.
He was being too harsh. Those words weren’t...ah fuck. He was still feeling spicy, but he didn’t mean to be. Not to a man who was clearly remorseful for his actions and words.
Unfolding his arms, Cass hesitated for a second, then he moved before he could convince himself not to. He jumped from his spot on his side of the carriage before he slid onto the bench next to Edgar.
Edgar’s head nearly snapped as he turned to stare at Cass, surprised. He turned the shade of a rose when Cass placed his hand on Edgar’s knee, giving it a squeeze.
"I should apologise. I didn’t mean for my words to come out that harsh." Cass told him, meeting the scared, worried and confused blue gaze of Edgar. The man was stock still, which was hilarious given the last time that they had been on an outing for clothes Edgar was the one who had pulled Cass into his lap and made him uncomfortable. All Cass had done was sit next to him and put his hand on his knee.
It wasn’t even inherently sexual. But, Cass could see the gears beginning to turn in Edgar’s mind and it was hilarious to him. He was scrambling, but he had no idea what to grab onto.
"T-They weren’t harsh, Cass. I...deserved them." Edgar argued, his face still flushed. Cass watched as the man pulled his bottom lip into his mouth, biting on it. Cass was sure that the man wasn’t even aware he was doing it, his brain frazzled. "Uh, Cass? Can you move back a bit?" Edgar asked, his chest rising and falling with his breaths. It was...very cute how awkward and uncomfortable he was getting.
"No, you didn’t deserve it. Not anymore. It’s a new day, and you are clearly remorseful for your actions. I would feel terrible if I kept punishing you for something that you are clearly feeling terrible about." Cass fanned his fingers out, covering more of the fabric on Edgar’s knee. He heard the man take in a shaky breath. "Why do you want me to move back a bit, Edgar? I thought you liked being this close to me?" Cass was so clearly teasing the man. Edgar’s gaze darted from Cass’ big, red eyes that fluttered slightly and his hand on Edgar’s knee.
Edgar was squirming under his hands and Cass found it very cute. Did that make him as bad as Edgar and Lucian? Not quite. Cass wasn’t going to force a kiss on him or anything. Just tease him a little bit longer and then move away. Just a little bit more.
Edgar’s mouth opened, a squeak came out, and then his face crumpled. He looked so damn embarrassed that Cass felt a sharp realisation that yeah, he was probably just as bad as Edgar and Lucian because if this was how he reacted? He got it. He really did.
Edgar squeezed his eyes shut, as if seeing what was happening was going to make it worse. He pulled his bottom lip into his mouth again, releasing it until it was a tempting, glistening thing that made Cass’ pulse thump just a little faster.
"I-I’m not remorseful enough." Edgar got out. It sounded like he was choking on the words. "I really should sit and reflect more. Um, and...please take your hand off of my knee." Edgar sounded like he was on the verge of tears. Something dark and devious inside of Cass stirred. He licked his lips, his own breath a little...wispy.
"Edgar, you didn’t answer my question from before. Why do you want me to back away? Why do I make you so uncomfortable?" Cass repeated, his hand squeezing Edgar’s knee. Cass could feel how the man was shaking. He looked so incredibly uncomfortable that Cass was almost ready to let him go, let him calm down when Edgar burst out the truth.
"I’m trying not to touch you!" Edgar practically shouted, before he slapped his hands over his mouth. Both, one at a time, over his mouth. It was like something out of a book.
Cass felt a slow, wicked grin cross his face.
"You’re trying not to touch me?" Cass asked and Edgar groaned. His eyes were open, darting around as his whole body started to turn pink. The last time that Cass had seen him like that was...
Cass cleared his throat.
"Fuck." Edgar exhaled slowly, and the expletive surprised Cass, but in a good way. When Edgar shifted his hands slightly, looking at Cass through his hands half covering his face, his eyes watery and upset, Cass felt something stir inside of him. He clenched his thighs together, something stirring below. Cass felt his eyes widen slightly at how the image of Edgar was affecting him so viscerally. "You aren’t being fair." Edgar protested, looking like he was on the verge of tears.
"I’m not being fair?" Cass repeated, feeling like that was not the case at all. Who would think that in this situation? Edgar was the one who looked like he was ready to be touched and fucked out of the two of them.
"You are fine after yesterday, and you are moving about the day so confident and proud. Plus...look at what you’re wearing." Edgar said, his gaze sliding up and down Cass’ body. Cass blinked. What Cass was wearing? What the hell did what he was wearing have to do with anything?
Cass glanced down, looking at his own outfit. It wasn’t anything...strange as far as he was concerned. He was wearing a normal outfit. The plainest black pants that he owned, with a black button up shirt that showed a little bit of the skin at his neck and a little triangle of skin at his chest. He had put on some silver jewelry to match the vibe. Sure, he was looking pretty gothic, but other outfits he’d worn had gone far harder. This was relatively plain in the grand scheme of things.
"What’s wrong with my outfit?" Cass asked, confusion filling him as Edgar glanced at him, his face still red.
"What’s wrong? Everything is wrong! You-You’re showing off your neck!" He said and Cass blinked.
What?
"It’s...just a neck." Cass commented and Edgar let out a sound of repressed outrage. He was clearly trying to keep his cool, even at this moment.
"Just a neck? There is no way that is just a neck! It’s slender and pale and I can see the pulse under your skin. It’s lewd. It’s tempting. I’m sure I am not the only person who thinks so." Edgar countered, trying to sound prim and proper while Cass felt his jaw drop.
"I’m lewd? I am sure you are mistaken. I’m just wearing clothes and I think you’re the only one who would think that." Cass told him. Edgar huffed, his gaze shifty. They were saved by the fact that the carriage came to a halt.
Edgar was the one to flee, scrambling away from Cass and his ’tempting’ appearance.
"We’ll have to agree to disagree." Edgar threw over his shoulder in his haste to get out of the small space with Cass. Cass sat there, shocked before he let out a little laugh.
Damnit. He still found that reaction cute.