Cass didn’t get to do everything that he wanted. Was he a bit upset, yeah, but there was also a hum of anticipation under his skin. It was like his whole body was bracing, trying to not exhaust itself before someone got here. It was like he could feel it with his whole body, even though he hadn’t felt the pull that had been placed between them for a long time.
Cass wasn’t left wanting, but it was more like he was savoring what he had received. What he had convinced them to allow him to do this time, and what they had done to him. Cass recognised that it was a little ridiculous that he had so many uh, men to help him in these hard times, and that he was pining after another man while he had two in his bed, but...they were also very understanding. Even if they didn’t know the full story.
They didn’t know that Cassian had liked Lucian. Like, really liked Lucian. They didn’t know that the pull towards him was probably going to be stronger until he saw him. At least, that was what Cass hoped since he had been able to somewhat get a handle on Cassian’s emotions for the others.
However, as Cass lay on top of Edgar, his thighs burning, his muscles screaming and Edgar’s pants filling his ears, his lips around Gideon’s cock as he sucked it dry, he finally felt his cock soften and knew, with a little thrill down his spine, things were going to change soon.
Lucian had promised that he would be back after this heat, and whether that was two days, or twenty, Cass would hold him to his word. He was fairly certain that if he took twenty days even Byron would go looking for him, even as he himself was getting close to his first shed.
Cass just hoped it didn’t get to that point.
His mind was murky, still dazed as exhaustion washed over him after he’d been awake for gods knew how long and a chuckling Gideon got to his feet, his cock finally allowed some rest as Cass and Edgar lay there, spent.
Edgar had tried to tap out earlier, the poor vampire not able to match the demon and the knight, but he had played the part of a wonderfully firm pillow for Cass. Cass had also nibbled on his neck and shoulders, peppering his pale skin with his own, far more obvious, marks.
Gideon would have laughed if he hadn’t been sliding his cock along Cass’ body, using the space between the two men to find his own release before giving it to Cass to drink. That last few drops of cum had finally satiated the demon and Cass felt his body go limp, his stomach full.
He’d had his meal, he was full now.
Cass dimly knew that Gideon had called for Sam, even made a groan of protest at Sam seeing him so bare and naked, but the man hadn’t cared. In fact, he could tell that Sam was almost offended that Cass tried to cover himself.
Sam and Gideon spoke to each other softly, Cass barely picking up on their voices. He must have dozed in and out because one moment he was on top of Edgar, the next he was carefully being placed into the bathtub, the warm, soapy water amazing on his stretched, aching muscles.
Edgar was across from him, his head resting against the edge of the tub, his eyes closed. He was exhausted, the poor thing. He really looked like a prince with his eyes closed. His sleeping beauty.
Cass gave a laugh at that and Gideon popped into his line of sight. His green eyes were warm, his skin peppered with his own victory marks. Bites, nips, hickies, and scratches that were from both Edgar and Cass. The adoration in his gaze before he even spoke had Cass’ body warming and tingling.
Not sexual, but with awareness. This man was being very kind to him. Very soft.
"What are you laughing about?" He asked, amused and Cass flushed.
"Uh, nothing." Cass said quickly and Gideon stared at him, clearly not believing him, but he dropped it with a laugh of his own and shook his head. He pulled back out of Cass’ line of sight before Cass felt him reach for his arm in the water. Cass began to protest. "You don’t have to wash me." He said, turning his head to look at Gideon. He couldn’t even lift himself up out of the water or shake off his hand.
Gideon raised an eyebrow, staring at the weakened man lying in the water.
"Babe, just lie back and let me take care of you, alright? You’re in no state to move, sweetheart, and you need some care. Both of you do. That’s my job as the one who trains their body for this kind of thing. Endurance is what I can offer, so let me." Gideon’s cheeks creased with his smile. "I like being helpful." Cass felt his breathing stutter, his mouth dry, and his eyes went wide. Gideon watched him calmly, carefully.
"I know you like being helpful." Cass replied and Gideon chuckled. He leaned in, pressing a chaste kiss against Cass’ lips.
"Then stop looking at me like you want to eat me. I’m pretty sure I’ve given you enough, haven’t I?" Gideon asked against Cass’ lips and Cass was a bit embarrassed at the sound that left them. It was a whimper, a needy thing, that had Gideon pulling back and laughing. "You are in no state to tempt me right now, sweetheart. Let me tend to you, get you all nice and warm, washed up, dried and polished, and then you can sleep it off. We’ll discuss what you’re thinking right now when you wake up from your sleep, alright?" Gideon suggested, his red hair falling into his eyes. He didn’t move to brush it out of the way and Cass, unable to lift his fingers, stared at it.
Something magical, without shape, moved it to the side, brushing it back. Cass froze, and because he did, Gideon did.
"I-I didn’t-" Cass stuttered and Gideon hushed him quickly with a kiss against his lips. It was like he could sense that Cass was about to descend into a panic because while he was able to do fast casting or whatever this world called it, he hadn’t been able to do it like that before. That was shocking no matter who you were.
"Thank you." Gideon told him, his eyes watching him. "I needed to move it out of my way, but I didn’t want to take my hands off of you." Gideon teased and Cass exhaled slowly. He slid his gaze to Edgar, who was still unconscious, and then back to Gideon.
"He’s going to be pissed he missed that." Cass whispered and a broad, wide smile creased Gideon’s cheeks again. He laughed, his green eyes sparkling and Cass thought it looked like a dappled, pretty bottom of a lush lake. Pretty, shiny, alive.
Cass didn’t think that Gideon’s eyes had looked like that before. He wondered what had changed them?
"You’re right." Gideon agreed. "Now, just relax, sweetheart. I’ll take care of you, as any good knight should take care of their master." Cass was going to protest, saying that wasn’t the kind of relationship he wanted with Gideon, until he realised the man was teasing him.
Cass grumbled, his cheeks warm as the man began to scrub him down carefully.
"You’re as bad as Edgar and Lucian." He complained and Gideon couldn’t stop smiling.
"That’s a wonderful compliment. Thank you." Cass kept his mouth shut after that. First from embarrassment, and then because the tiredness swept over him again. Gideon was so good at this, being calm and methodical, that Cass found himself dozing in and out. He woke up a couple of times when Gideon was moving him or turning him, but not long enough for him to complain.
He was barely aware of the others moving about in the other room, Byron and Sam cleaning up the mess left behind with magic and trained hands. When Gideon was finally able to get Cass out of the tub, it was with Byron’s help since they didn’t want to disturb Edgar either. Byron used his magic to lift Cass out, while also keeping Edgar in his place. Gideon dried him off, Sam helped dress him, and then Byron watched Edgar as Gideon tucked Cass into bed with a gentle kiss on the forehead before he turned back to take care of the other man precious to him.
~
When Cass awoke the first time, it was because he was parched and he needed to go to the bathroom. He was barely aware of the fact that Gideon gave him water, or the fact that he helped him go pee, holding onto him as Cass’ legs shook and trembled. He was a zombie, his body more tired than before.
It wasn’t as bad as the time that he’d hurt himself, but it was pretty close. However, they didn’t feed him the tonic while he was in this state and instead just let him go back to sleep. Edgar was passed out next to him, barely moving. More like his vampiric state than normal.
~
When he woke for the second time, it was with more awareness. He wasn’t just a zombie demanding to go to the bathroom and searching for water. His senses weren’t turned off, but instead fully fucking aware. His fucking body was screaming.
He ached all over, every muscle group he could name and couldn’t, screaming. His legs were particularly bad. He was going to blame Edgar on that one since it was his thighs that were the worst. The man had held him in stasis, sucking and stealing his energy, and that was the cost.
The soft whimper of pain that left his lips had someone stirring. Cass wasn’t even aware of it until a large hand touched his stomach over the sheets, petting him.
"It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m here. Go back to sleep." It was a soft murmur, coming from the left hand side. When Cass turned his head he found Gideon there, lying on the bed over the sheets, his eyes a little dazed from sleep but the intention there. Edgar was on the other side, or Cass felt that he was. He couldn’t tell. He wasn’t to the right of him since the bed ended to the right.
"It hurts." Cass whispered and Gideon’s eyes sharpened immediately.
"Oh baby." Gideon murmured, getting up. When he sat up he realised that Edgar wasn’t there and Cass was surprised. Where was he? He normally was with him, or he had been by his side even if unconscious for the last little bit.
Gideon got up, reaching for the bedside table and Cass recognised the tray as soon as it came into view. His scowl was deep and Gideon’s expression fought to remain neutral.
"I know, but it’s the best thing for you." Gideon told him and Cass huffed.
"It’s disgusting." Cass told him and Gideon gave him a sympathetic look.
"Just a glass, and then you can go back to sleep." Gideon coaxed and Cass let him. He felt his body tense, repulsed by the fucking health tonic, but he’d gotten away without having to drink it for a long time. He shouldn’t be complaining as much as he was when poor Cassian had to drink it regularly.
That’s what he chanted to himself as Gideon helped him drink it, the mix so fucking worse then he remembered. Cass coughed and sputtered, Gideon pulling back to let him breathe before diligently forcing him to drink it again. He was the worst because he had good intentions, but he wasn’t going to let Cass get out of this.
Did Cass feel better almost immediately? He was never going to tell. So, he just went to sleep instead, Gideon patting his stomach like he was a child and Cass hoped he ignored how damp his eyes were as he drifted off again.