"Here. Wear this." Cass said, shoving clothes into Gideon’s arms.
He had just gone through a drawer while Edgar was in the bathroom. He was getting a bath ready for all of them, while Cass was in charge of finding clothes that would fit Gideon. He didn’t think it would be a hard task. He knew where the clothes were kept, and all he had to do was avoid the clothes that looked villainous.
He was right, of course, since the clothes that were in the bottom drawer were normal, regular colours, and bigger than the clothes that Cass normally wore. Would they be wide enough across for Gideon? They’d find out, and if they weren’t, he could sleep topless. It wasn’t too weird for men to sleep topless.
What Gideon was having a hard time with was the fact that Cass and Edgar were telling him that they were getting a bath together, and quieting down for the night.
Gideon had books he could read, Cass had a book he needed to finish, and Edgar hadn’t made it clear what he was going to do. Maybe he was tired from the early morning, or he was just going to wind down, keeping an eye on both of them.
"Are you sure these are going to fit?" Gideon asked skeptically, and Cass shrugged noncommittally.
"Not sure. We’ll find out." Cass told him with a smile. Gideon stared at him, clutching onto the clothes that Cass had given him, the sound of the water filling the tub in the bathroom subtle since they were all the way across the room. Gideon stared down at the clothes in his hands before he let out a heavy sigh.
"I feel like you two have trapped me somehow." Gideon muttered. Cass stared at him, curious.
"Are you upset about that? I mean, if you are really unwilling, I don’t want you to feel pressured." Cass told him. While Cass did think it was best for Gideon and Edgar if they all slept in one place, he did think that if he explained how uncomfortable Gideon was to Edgar they could let the man sleep in his own room. Truly, if he was really uncomfortable, Cass didn’t want to force him.
Gideon frowned, not moving his gaze from the clothes in his hands, his fingers clenching on the fabric.
"I...I think I’m just nervous." Gideon admitted. "This feels...wrong. Weird." Cass remained silent, his chest tightening slightly. He didn’t like hearing that, but then again, what could he say? He’d thought this whole thing was rather weird until Lucian forced him to realise it wasn’t. At least, not for him.
Gideon looked up suddenly, a heavy breath making his shoulders move with the weight of his sigh. He met Cass’ gaze, his green eyes full of emotion.
"This just feels weird. I don’t like doing this without Lucian here. While I’m not, well, Lucian was right to accuse me of everything that he was, I just...is this okay to do without him here? I feel like I’m replacing him." Gideon whispered. "Which is ridiculous because who could replace him?" Gideon’s words were a reminder that had Cass’ heart aching.
Cass found himself reaching for Gideon, grabbing his forearm with his hand and giving it a squeeze before he could stop himself. Gideon’s eyes dropped to where Cass was holding him, and then rose up to Cass’ red gaze. Cass had no idea what he looked like, but he could see the way that Gideon shifted, the way his expression softened.
"I would never attempt to replace you or Edgar or Lucian. I also never, ever want it to be considered that I am comparing you to each other. I don’t even know how to do that. The only thing that I could possibly compare would be how nice you three treat me, but that’s the only thing that comes to my mind. I’m sure Edgar feels the same. We’re all different from each other, including our damn races. You will never behave the way Lucian does, nor will I or Edgar. You aren’t taking his place, Gideon, you’re just getting used to a situation you haven’t been in before." Cass explained, nervous himself.
Gideon was staring at Cass, his eyes a little wide when Edgar decided to come out, his sleeves rolled up, pushing his hair out of his face.
"How are you two doing out here? Did you find something for Gideon to wear to bed?" Edgar asked, as if he hadn’t heard exactly what they were talking about. Cass threw his gaze towards Edgar, and Gideon turned his body so that he was facing both men. Edgar stared at them, dropping his hands to his side. He tilted his head slightly. "Are you two okay?" He asked, as if he wasn’t the one who had been on edge until they arrived at the room.
"We’re fine." Cass spoke for the both of them, Gideon sliding his gaze towards Cass, watching him, watching his reaction. Cass let out a breath, trying to stabilize himself. "We’re fine." Cass repeated firmly. "How is the tub filling going?" Cass asked and Edgar gave a shrug.
"Almost there. Not gonna lie, pretty sure Lucy was doing something to make the water come out faster. The damn dragon was using magic so effortlessly that it makes me angry all over again. They don’t joke around when they call them blessed beings." Edgar muttered bitterly and Cass felt a laugh leave his lips. Right. Dragons were supposed to be being blessed by the gods. That was the reaction that normal people had.
Cass was just...used to them because he had two around him at all times, and he’d literally watched one go from being a baby teen to a full blown adult who now had a bond partner. All in a few months. It really changed your perspective on what kind of beings were blessed and what weren’t.
"Come on. Let’s go get ready for the bath. Do you use specific products for your hair?" Cass asked, turning to Gideon. If he focused on the little things, maybe that would make Gideon less stressed, less anxious. Cass wasn’t sure what would help, but he thought that might. He knew that it would probably help him if he was in his shoes.
Gideon stared at him blankly.
"Products?" Gideon repeated and Cass realised, with dawning horror, that unlike Lucian who didn’t need to bathe his human body because, well, he was truly a scaly beast, Gideon had the other issue. The big, buff male issue that Cass never had to deal with because he only had his sister.
A lack of care for the small, personal touches.
"Oh Gideon." Cass said softly, pity dripping from every syllable. Gideon stiffened.
"What do you mean by that?" Gideon asked as Cass tugged him towards Edgar. Edgar, the damn man, was smirking. It was probably because he had anticipated something like this. That, or he was just happy seeing both of them walk towards him with the intention that they were all going to be naked together soon. Cass was too focused on what he had to do to even notice that.
~
Gideon had gotten a full lesson on personal hygiene and care, all while Edgar undressed Cass without Cass even batting an eye. Sam had trained Cass well, plus with the heat that Edgar had helped with, Cass was a little more trusting of the other man. He’d also been helping him in place of Sam for long enough that Cass just...let him do it.
Gideon was more resistant, letting Edgar get his buttons undone on his pants before he flushed and declared that he was going to do it himself. Edgar just shrugged, a small sparkle in his gaze as Cass stood, naked as the day that he was born, explaining the differences in scents between two small bottles, why they were important, and what they helped with.
It all accumulated in Gideon blinking a few times and coming to a stunning realisation.
"Wait, is this why you two always smell amazing?" He asked and Cass gave a serious nod.
"You could also smell amazing, even after you work out, if you maintain this for a while. Your body adjusts to the scent over time. So while you might smell a bit from working out, you could potentially still smell like this too." Cass told him seriously. Gideon was also taking this conversation seriously, even as he stripped. Edgar had done away with his clothes, the tub full, and the room filling up with steam.
"I see. This is...rather interesting to learn. I had no idea." Gideon told him seriously, and Cass scoffed.
"Do you have sisters?" Cass asked, and Gideon shook his head.
"No, and my Mom passed away giving birth to my youngest brother." Gideon told him and Cass nodded. That explained it. Edgar piped up.
"I only know about basic hygiene care because of the night workers." He added. Gideon’s jaw tensed while Cass nodded. That also made sense.
"Well, women tend to take better care of themselves in general. Alright. Now you have more knowledge. For now, we’ll use what Sam got me, and then maybe later you can find a scent that you like." Cass said, grabbing the small basket that he always tended to use that was full of soap, cloths, shampoo and conditioner. He floated it towards the tub, not even aware he was using magic casually as Gideon and Edgar watched on.
Cass moved his much fuller now bottom towards the tub, climbing in first without hesitation as Gideon and Edgar watched him. The soft groan that left his lips as used the steps down into the water, his sore body loving the warm water, was completely unintentional. Cass moved so that he wasn’t near the steps so that the others could climb in.
Cass glanced at them, his brows drawing together as they stood there. He waved his hand.
"Come on in then. There’s nothing wrong with bathing together. People do this all the time." Cass said and Edgar grinned.
"In your world?" He asked and Cass nodded.
"Several cultures do this back home. Across many different nations. There is nothing weird about it. Often kids are even here bathing with the adults as well." Cass told them and that seemed to relax something in Gideon.
"I see. It’s not inherently sexual." He muttered and Edgar chuckled, patting Gideon’s shoulder. He winked at Gideon as Gideon glanced at him.
"For them, yes. However, I can see where your mind is." Edgar said, chuckling as he glanced down at Gideon’s semi hard cock. Gideon flushed.
"I wasn’t, it’s not-"
"Edgar." Cass called, giving the other man a knowing look. "Like you’re any better. Let the man get in the tub in peace." Cass warned and Edgar’s smile grew as he let go of Gideon’s shoulder and started towards the tub.
"What? I’m not allowed to tease him?" Edgar asked and Cass rolled his eyes.
"He’s already terrified. Let the man have a moment’s rest before we flip his worldview on its head again. Carrot and the stick, Edgar, or is that something you don’t know here?" Cass asked as Edgar sank into the water. He came and sat next to Cass, a little too close as their shoulders touched.
"Hmm. Sounds a little too dangerous when you say it like that. I don’t think I’ve heard it before. What is it about and should I cover Gideon’s ears in case he shouldn’t hear it?" Edgar asked, full teasing mode on. Gideon’s cheeks burned, Cass rolled his eyes, but was glad he was back.