Chapter 645: Wakey wakey little demon
Cass slept like the dead.
Once he got out of the bath and sleeping positions were decided, after Cass and Edgar had been rubbed dry within an inch of their life and Lucian had used his magic to ’wash’ Gideon as well, Cass curled up and conked out.
Lucian had folded him against his chest, tucking his head against his arm while Gideon and Edgar did the same, Cass and Edgar back to back, and it was pure bliss. The team was all together again, and Cass was so full he didn’t even consider human food.
Hell, he wasn’t even sure he was going to need to eat a meal for days. So Cass didn’t think about anything besides his warm body pillow and how exhausted he was. He didn’t consider what eating as much, and as properly as he had, would do to his body.
~
When Cass woke up the next morning, covered in a warmth that he had missed, he let out a small noise of contentment. It welled up from deep inside of him, his body so relaxed and filled with relief that he didn’t even care what time it was.
The warmth shifted, a chuckle washing over him as Lucian pulled his head up, staring down into Cass’ still sleepy face.
"Good morning, sweetness. How are you feeling?" Lucian’s voice was also deep with slumber, and Cass stretched like a cat in a sunbeam.
"Fine." Cass told him, staring at him warmly. Lucian softened, leaning in and pressing his forehead against Cass’, rubbing it softly as he breathed in. Low and slow, steady and easy. Something that Cass had missed.
"Good. No nightmares?" Lucian asked and Cass chuckled.
"I don’t have nightmares." Cass told him. He hadn’t, not really. Even back in his old world, he didn’t need them. He already had enough normal horrors to deal with. Cass didn’t think that this world was much different.
Lucian sighed.
"Then maybe you don’t remember them." Lucian muttered. "A small blessing." He added. "Well, I’m glad you slept well. Edgar and Gideon wanted to remain in bed with us, but some tasks called them ahead. Sam’s on his way now, I can hear him moving. Are you hungry?" Lucian asked.
Cass was a little surprised that Edgar and Gideon weren’t here, and that only made Cass wonder how long he’d been asleep. Confused, Cass turned onto his back, realising that he was facing the bathroom door, not any of the windows. When he did, he realised that the sun wasn’t as high in the sky as he worried as it streamed in through the open windows, but it was higher then when he normally woke up.
"Why didn’t anyone else wake me up?" Cass asked, confused. Lucian stared at him for a long, quiet moment before he replied.
"I just wanted a few more minutes with you in my arms." He admitted softly and any annoyance Cass might have had, faded. He turned back to Lucian, staring up at the man who had been away for what felt like years, and yet when he came back it felt like he’d never left.
Cass let out a low, shaky breath.
However, Cass had had so many people at his side when everything was happening. He’d had things happening in his life. They might not have always been good things, but Lucian? He’d been alone. That part in his heart remained as he stared at Lucian and carefully raised a hand.
He jerked back when he heard Sam’s knock on the door.
"My Lord?" Sam’s call came through, clear and questioning. Cass sighed, rolling back over so that he was once more pressed against Lucian’s chest.
"We’re decent!" He called and heard the door open.
"How was your rest?" Sam asked conversationally. Everything was normal, calm even, until Cass heard the sound of a tray hitting his bedside table.
He jerked, eyes going wide as he turned to look at Sam and Sam halted, staring at Cass. Sam was on the other side of the bed, putting down the tray as he always had over and over. However, Cass and Lucian were on the other side of the bed, wrapped around each other. That wasn’t what shocked him.
It was the shock on Sam’s face.
"Are you...alright, my lord? You look...you look..." Sam gulped. "You look very pretty." He muttered, sounding confused. Cass was also confused. Sam had never called Cass pretty. Villainous? Absolutely. Worthy of fear and admiration? Yes. But pretty?
"Sam." Lucian warned but Sam just shook his head as if he was dazed. He slid his gaze to Lucian, furrowing his brow.
"My Lord, may I ask Byron to come in? I know you aren’t fully ready for the day, but I...I think I need to confirm something, for everyone’s safety." He muttered. Cass, now also worried and confused, nodded. He wanted to sit up, but since that tray holding the damn sewer water tonic had been brought in, he didn’t want to.
He didn’t want to know the state that he was in that required that tonic. Until he fully moved, he was in blissful ignorance.
Sam darted for the door quickly, almost like he was fleeing, before he halted at the door. He turned back, a look of fear mixed with determination and admiration on his face.
"I’ll be right back, my Lord." He declared, before fleeing. Cass had no idea what to say to that. Cass and Lucian laid there in silence, before Cass turned to him, his face suffused with confusion.
"Is something wrong?" Cass asked, terrified. Lucian smiled down at him, his arms tightening around Cass.
"Well, I’m not quite sure. Sam doesn’t normally act like that. Let’s wait and see what he says before we jump to any conclusions, okay?" Lucian said and Cass nodded, fear still growing inside of him but quelled by Lucian’s words.
They waited for Sam to come back with Byron, and when the soft knock sounded, Lucian was the one who called to let them in. Sam was on his own, Byron a few steps away from him. That alone was strange, but was even stranger was how Byron went first, and then Sam followed.
Things only became slightly clearer when Byron’s eyes landed on Cass and he came to a halt.
"What in the world?" He muttered, his face flushing suddenly before he growled, low and deep, and reached for Sam. "What is going on?" He demanded, but Cass had no answer. It was Sam, who was being wrapped up in the arms of the younger, blue-haired dragon that answered.
"I think our Lord’s powers have gotten stronger." He admitted softly. "Quite stronger." Sam’s eyes narrowed accusingly as he turned to look at Lucian. "You overfed him." He accused.
Cass choked, the sound drawing attention to him as he tried not to grow too damn flustered at the implications. Then, Lucian burst into laughter.
"You speak as if I’m the only one who can, Sam, and I find that rather unfair. There is another you should be pointing fingers at." Lucian added, a warm smile on his face, before it slipped off as concern took its place. "Do you know how that happened? How to prevent it?" Lucian asked.
Cass had no idea what they were talking about. What was going on that had everyone having such a very severe look on their face? Cass, normally smart and able to catch on to what was going on, was having a hard time connecting the dots.
Sam shook his head, looking very confused himself.
"I don’t know. I think maybe...just don’t feed him as much as you did? He’s clearly still filling out, but maybe when the signs aren’t as obvious...stop? Did a situation like that happen?" Sam asked, trying to be as vague as possible for Cass’ sensibilities. Cass appreciated it, even if it wasn’t vague enough for him. Lucian sighed.
"Yeah. There was a point last night when he stopped and passed out. That might be the sign." Lucian muttered. Sam sputtered.
"You kept tormenting him after he passed out?!" Sam accused and Lucian growled.
"We would never. He wanted to continue. We pushed back but he pushed harder." Lucian told him and Cass watched as Sam flushed, nodded, and backed down.
"My apologies. I just-" Lucian raised a hand, silencing him.
"You don’t have to apologise, Sam. I understand that you care for him, so I can easily overlook it. Just remember that we are on the same team here when it comes to Cass. I care for him too, we all do." Lucian told him. Cass was still a few steps behind.
"What is going on that has all of you so on edge? Why are you talking as if it’s obvious? I’m going to start getting angry if someone doesn’t explain it soon." Cass warned. The three men turned to look at him, staring at him thoughtfully. Byron had to tear his gaze away first, Sam shortly after, but Lucian didn’t. A soft, gentle purr came from the man. Like he was trying to soothe Cass. It annoyed Cass that it worked.
"Well, Cassy Baby, you’ve grown more attractive. So attractive that you could tempt even bonded monsters." Lucian told him with a warm smile. A sick, horrifying feeling filled his gut.
"What?" Cass asked, horrified.
"Not too much. We can still resist any pull you have on us, but we are getting into dangerous territories. Now that your powers are awakening, we need to find ways to control them and minimize them. Especially if you want to live amongst humans long-term." Sam told him. Cass was still reeling.
"I’m seducing you?" He asked, turning his big, red heart-shaped eyes towards Byron and Sam. He looked towards them, wanting the truth, and it was Byron who tore his gaze away again, a low growl in his throat.
"It’s not intentional, my Lord. Sam, where are his glasses?" Byron asked and Sam blinked, before he realised what Byron was getting at. He nodded, jolting off again before coming back and marching towards the edge of the bed that Lucian and Cass were on. Lucian took the glasses, the sunglasses, and placed them over Cass’ eyes.
Both Byron and Sam let out a slightly relieved breath.
"It seems, my lovely little fairy, your eyes are the source of your new powers. For now, at least." Lucian told him while Cass reeled from everything that had just happened. His powers were getting stronger, they came from his eyes, and he was able to seduce Sam and Byron. Byron who, famously, had begged and pleaded for the right to remain near Sam because he was in love with him and wanted a shot. Cass shuddered.
"I have no desire to seduce anyone but you, Edgar and Gideon." Cass stated clearly. Lucian chuckled, leaning in and pressing a kiss against his cheek.
"That was never a question, sweetness, but let’s make sure you don’t start receiving love letters." Lucian teased, but a fire burned behind his eyes.