Chapter 64: He must never know
Cass held onto Draken’s hand awkwardly, trying to angle it so that he could cut his shirt with someone else’s hand without turning Draken around. It was a hard task, especially if he didn’t want to reveal himself to the rest of the people outside.
He could hear them moving around outside of the carriage, so he had a reason to be worried, but at the same time...Draken really filled out the carriage doorway. It was a little...intimidating, honestly. Cass was sure Lord Blackburn looked like a stick next to him. He looked like a stick next to him.
It was an annoying thought.
Cass could tell Draken was laughing at him from the way his shoulders shook. Cass was ignoring that, focusing on using his elongated, clawed fingers to slice through his clothes. It was hard, and he was doing his damn best to focus.
To Cass’ own fear, and a tingling in his lower stomach, the claws cut through his clothes like a knife through butter. It caused a shiver to run down his spine, and Cass was so focused on not cutting himself he nearly jumped out of his skin when Draken spoke.
"Be careful not to cut yourself. If you do, I’ll kiss it better." Cass’ cheeks flushed.
"You don’t need to do something so disgusting, I promise. I’m being careful." Cass shot back, and Draken’s shoulders shook more.
"Disgusting? Are you not a fan of kissing?" Draken asked, mirth in his tone and Cass felt his face warm more. Not a fan? Cass hadn’t even known what kissing felt like before today, and now-
"Stop reading my emotions!" Cass shouted, slicing through the last knot of melted fabric and shuffling back, dropping Draken’s hand like it was hot. Draken chuckled.
"I have no idea why you are so upset. Are you not a fan of kissing, Cassian? Or have you not kissed anyone before? Not even Fiona?" Cass could feel his heart racing in his chest as he jerkily yanked the torn fabric off of his body.
Flustered, and unsure how to answer, Cass opened and closed his mouth.
"I...I don’t see the point." Cass told him stiffly, meaning the words. Why would anyone want to...do that? It felt...okay, it felt good, but he still didn’t see a point to it. It was just...lips pressed against each other. What did it matter?
"Were they not a good kisser?" Draken asked carefully and Cass glared at his back.
"I told you to stop reading my emotions." Cass warned and Draken shrugged.
"What am I supposed to do when you’re practically shoving them at me, Cassian? Ignore them? You seem conflicted. Is there anything I can do to help?" Draken asked and Cass glared at him. He didn’t think he’d have anything helpful to say, and again, he didn’t want to tell him who had done it.
For some reason, he had a feeling that wouldn’t go over well. That, and his own pride wouldn’t allow it. Fuck that man for taking advantage of him when he was emotional.
"I don’t think there is anything you can do to help." Cass told him, and Draken sighed.
"Oh phooey. I was going to offer a better kiss, but I guess you would never agree to that so easily." Cass, against his better judgement, went and slapped Draken’s shoulder angrily. Draken didn’t even budge, but he did laugh earnestly. "Are you fully dressed? Only people who are fully dressed hit like that, Cassian." Draken warned and Cass’ eyes grew wide.
"I am not! You are just saying the most absurd things that I felt I needed to punish you." Cass told him, sniffing as he turned, grabbing for the bag that held the shirt Draken had retrieved for him. He reached inside, pulling out a fucking white shirt that looked exactly like the one Cass had seen Draken in when he had opened his eyes for the first time.
"Punish me? That was not a punishment, Cassian. That was cute. If you really wanted to punish me, you’d use more force. Maybe your nails? Or teeth? I have thick skin, we could even use a whip if you really wanted to punish me." Draken’s tone deepened, and Cass gave him a worried, slightly disgusted look.
"Why does it sound like you would like that?" Cass asked, and Draken laughed.
"Because I would." He replied smugly and Cass made a disgusted noise.
"Oh gross. Absolutely not." Cass muttered, pulling the shirt over his head and pushed his arms through the sleeves. Even after doing that, he felt like the shirt was too big. "Uh, are you sure this was the smallest size?" Cass asked and Draken laughed.
"Am I free to turn around to help you if you need it?" Draken asked and Cass glowered at his back.
"Fine." Cass exhaled, his tone to be desired. Draken was grinning when he turned around, gripping onto the edge of the carriage. His smile only widened as he took in Cass in his shirt.
Cass was sure he looked like he was drowning in fabric. He must have looked like a kid wearing his Dad’s clothes. He had no idea what that actually looked like outside of movies, but the way that Draken looked him over made Cass want to cover up his body.
"Come over here, Cassian. You need to tuck your shirt into your pants." Draken’s gaze roamed Cass’ body and Cass wasn’t sure if he should. Not when the man was looking at him like that.
"Uh, I can do that." Cass told him, pushing the hanging fabric out of the way as he went to undo his pants. He undid the first few buttons, and began to tuck the fabric into the top. Draken rumbled.
"It’s going to look silly if you don’t have help. Just come here." Draken ordered and Cass frowned at him.
"I’m not following orders from you." He hissed and Draken softened his tone and expression.
"Cassian, come here please. I’m just trying to help. If I don’t, the owner of the orphanage is going to think she got another kid, not that Lord Blackburn is visiting her orphanage." Cass scrunched up his face, hating to hear the words because he believed him.
He always looked like a Victorian child nowadays, so Draken had to be correct. Even if Cass was sure this was some kind of ploy, he couldn’t deny that without Sam, he felt a bit useless.
Huffing, and not agreeing to this in any way, Cass made his way towards the dragon who was watching him with lidded eyes. Draken only touched him when Cass was close enough that he could count his eyelashes, and with careful, giant hands, he began to push the fabric down and into Cass’ pants. Cass was uncomfortable with the way his hands slid over Cass’ skin.
Thank the fucking stars he insisted on wearing underwear. He had a feeling that if he hadn’t, Draken would have made a comment on that. Or taken advantage of the situation. Cass had no idea why the situation had changed so dramatically compared to how he acted around Lord Blackburn before Cass had arrived, but he knew he didn’t like it.
Who would like it when a man looked at him like he was a fucking delicacy that he wanted to savour with his fingers, hands and lips? Fuck, Cass could feel himself flushing. Draken chuckled, leaning in as his hands were fully down Cass’ pants, touching his ass.
"Your heart is racing, Cassian. What are you nervous about?" Draken asked, his hot, sulfur breath fanning his ear. Cass shivered, hating that he liked how warm his hands were against his skin.
"W-Who wouldn’t be nervous in this situation?" Cass muttered, his gaze darting away from Draken’s face. Draken smirked.
"Sure. Nervous." Cass, frustrated he was taking so long, pressed his hands against Draken’s chest, and did his best to ignore how fit he was. Fuck, the man felt firm, and yet supple. Fuck he wanted to-
"A-Are you done?" Cass muttered and Draken laughed.
"Almost, I just need to do the front." Cass’ eyes went wide.
"I-I can do that part!" Cass protested, not wanting Draken anywhere near his private parts. Not at all. He didn’t think he could trust a single man in that mansion, and that was a sudden, and horrifying realisation. Draken grinned.
"Are you afraid I’ll touch you, Cassian? I would never do something so dishonourable. If I’m going to touch you, I want it completely consensual, and not somewhere where we’ll be interrupted so quickly." Cass’ eyes widened, and he felt his whole face warm.
"There is no way that is going to happen." Cass declared, his voice shaking. Draken watched him, a knowing look on his face.
"Hmm. Now I’m even more curious what you’ll look like, begging for my touch." Cass felt horror fill his veins at those words from his lips, but at the same time, couldn’t fight the blush that covered his cheeks.
He was curious? Curious? That was a death sentence to Cass. Anytime Draken had been curious about something in the novel he had stopped at nothing to find out everything that he could about that subject. Whether it was where clothing was made, or what metal was the best for a sword, he had researched that subject into the ground.
He’d done something similar with Lady Fiona. He’s gotten curious what her favourite way to be kissed had been. Those Chapters involving Draken had been hot, dizzyingly so.
That was not a good sign for Cass. Oh no.
"There is nothing curious about that, since it won’t happen." Cass told him, trying to gather his wits about him. He needed to collect himself. He couldn’t be caught lacking when such a dangerous beast was around him. Draken’s orange gaze watching him had him freezing, stopping nearly all movement.
"Hmm. You seem so sure with your words, but your heart tells another tale. We’ll see which one wins over time, won’t we?"