Giving blood was not high up on Nate’s list of favorite things to do, falling right after ‘go to the dentist’ and right before ‘renewing a license in person at the DMV.’ But given the circumstances, it was the right thing to do no matter how much he hated it. Poor Fox had been through so much and just knowing that there was more blood in the off chance he needed it made the speedster feel a bit more at ease. Not to mention, it meant he couldn’t go running off after these murder kittens to get a better look, which was probably for the best.
The unexpected plus of his medical journey was Dorian, ever stoic and focused. While he couldn’t say Caspian’s right hand was his personal favorite henchmen, it felt like maybe they had gained some ground that day. What started off as a bit gruff led to something a hell of a lot more chill by the time he settled into bed. And he got a solid ‘maybe’ to a question he expected to get a firm ‘no’ to, which was a shocking surprise.
Now he just…needed to get the rest of his ducks in a row before tackling the next hurdle: getting his beloved to agree to a negotiation for the mini-devil. Nate knew getting the contract broken was a fool's errand, but the speedster had picked up enough know-how from the devil to at least put up a counter proposal that should make things a bit easier. Maybe. If it didn’t explode in his face first.
Nate settled into a chair at their small table looking far more rumpled than usual as he inhaled a burger that was the size of his head and downed coconut water. It was a terrible combination, but he needed iron and Casey had always recommended the nut water after giving blood for some reason. When he heard a rustling at the door he looked over, contently munching on a French fry.
Caspian eased open the door. It had been quite an interesting day if the buzz in the cabana was any indication. “Hard day, love?” The door closed behind him and the devil wandered over with some amusement. “Windstorm? Or perhaps you were out playing hero. Didn’t we learn the hard way what heroism will get you?” He was teasing, of course. Nate wasn’t stupid enough to go tromping through the underbrush to look for murder kittens. “How is Fox, then?”
He hadn’t yet had an opportunity to go seeking the answer he already knew from Dorian. It could wait a few moments. The weight of the day felt heavy and while he hadn’t quite expected it to be so eventful, he was glad this phase was completed.
Settling down next to Nate, he leaned in to press a kiss on a temple and then sat back to listen.
“Worse, vampires,” he held his left arm up, showing off the impressive bruise peeking out from under a bandage. “Apparently I got the nurse fresh out of school, bedside manner is impeccable, ability to find my very visible vein…not so much,” it was fine, everyone had to get their practice in somehow. Nate washed the fry down with some coconut water, making a face softly from the taste before focusing on Caspian again.
“Alive, which is apparently very lucky. Casey didn’t look great but you know he won’t spill anything. I didn’t want to disturb him so I just had Dorian roll me home,” he leaned into the kiss, just soaking up the contact before continuing. “Rumor has it they wiped out one type at the blood bank, it was the bad,” hence him needing to go in.
He took another bite of his burger, offering some to Caspian, “I got an extra order of fries and a salad in case you were hungry. Would have got you real food but I wasn’t sure how long you would be.”
“Ah, quite a feast they have had.” He eyed the bruises. Giving blood could be considered heroic. Caspian had never donated blood in his life. “Mm…well, she has quite the subject to work on, and I can say that if she managed to get blood out of you, then she is destined for greatness.”
He was glad for the news on Fox. For what it was worth, he was a friend. A pawn, yes, but sacrifices needed to be made now and then. “Good. Perhaps he can shed some insight on the ordeal as soon as he feels up for a chat.” He would go see him, personally. Less chance of things getting mucked up. “If we lose any more men to the wilderness, I dare say we will be in dire straights.” That was one of his men and a friend, plus skylar. “How fares the lion man? I assume he’s distraught over what happened to Fox.”
Cas shook his head at the burger but pulled over the carton of fries for inspection. “Thank you, my love. How thoughtful.”
“I was a model patient,” who only wiggled a little bit and gave most of his unamusement to Dorian (who only deserved a portion of it). It was an improvement from the first time he gave blood and passed out during the process, poor Casey was scared to death. “I’d give him a few days to recuperate, though I’m sure you could probably get the tall doctor to spill some details if you were in a rush. Though Dorian probably had the best information,” and was currently very worried about what his boss would say to him given how well his mission was going.
The ‘we’ in that statement made some nerves that had settled in Nate’s stomach dissipate, thankfully. “Very distraught, but I’m sure he’s feeling better now that Fox is awake,” seeing the shifter so nervous spoke volumes for how much he cared about Fox.
“Of course, though I’ll admit there’s also two cinnamon buns as well. I might be looking to butter you up just a little bit,” Nate shot him a little smile. Confident, sure, even if he was swinging from the hip.
“I intend to make the rounds soon.” Information was necessary and gathering it would take time. When emotions were running high the mind wasn’t always reliable. “I think I shall start at the top and work my way down to see what I can shake loose.” Starting his right hand and moving through the ranks, outward.
He took a moment to process and then nodded. “I can’t imagine what he is going through - when someone you love is hurt…well, the world around you ceases to matter. Our dear lion friend cannot lose his focus. Even if it is to mourn.” There wouldn’t be survivors.
An eyebrow arched. “Oh? And, praytell, what exactly are you trying to ‘butter me up’ for?” Now he was curious about something other than the recent kitten developments.
“It’s always a good option to start at the top,” Plus Dorian was expecting those blue eyes to come looking for him sooner rather than later. Nate knew he wouldn’t be waiting long, Caspian didn’t dilly-dally when he was on a mission. “Yeah, he didn’t look great but I’m sure that once Fox is back in his room he’ll have his eye on the prize,” Rex deserved a little bit of time to decompress and focus on his dear friend before taking care of some kitten.
Nate wiped his mouth off, then his hands before shifting to turn fully towards Caspian, “Because I want to ask you something and I honestly don’t know how you’ll react.” Which made it tricky. He was fairly confident when it came to guessing how his darling dear will react to most things, but this? This needed to be handled carefully.
“I’d like to request a formal meeting to discuss renegotiating Jude’s contract with you,” Back straight, full eye contact like he wasn’t afraid of Caspian. “With Dorian blocking all our powers,” No speed, no bubbles, no whispering in ears or messing with minds. While Nate didn’t know anything about underground drug empires, he knew more than enough about board rooms.
“I’ve discovered as much,” he concurred. The top was the best place to begin when you were on the prowl for something important. He’d give Dorian a few hours more to complete the mission and then he would pay his dearest friend a visit. This situation had become delicate and he trusted Dorian to see it through. There were always consequences for failure.
The mood in the room shifted. That dark eyebrow stayed perched as Nate turned more toward him and began to indulge. That could’ve pointed to a number of things - some of which were good, others not so good.
Those blues settled on Nate’s. “No.” He said, shaking his head. “I do not want to renegotiate his contract.” There was nothing he wanted to barter for that would allow Jude to walk free. “It’s not an option.”
‘No’ wasn’t shocking and the speedster did his best to look unphased by the rejection, it was pretty passable. Well, if you couldn’t hear the scrambling in his mind. “I didn’t expect you would. It’s an insane idea, especially after all these years of service,” Nate hummed softly, taking another sip of his stupid coconut water. “However, the last few months have made me think a lot about our future. And I’m not just talking about the romantic sense, pretty clear we’ve got that on lock,” as if the ring on his finger didn’t speak volumes.
“Caspian, I know I’m not just marrying you. I’m marrying your work too. You gave me Ian to oversee with the understanding that I’d have to handle it if something went wrong. I helped handle the Jude situation, and I’d like to assure that never happens again,” And the easiest way to do that? Have Jude report to Nate. Caspian could still use him as his little minion, but Nate would have oversight to make sure no one’s brain went through the blender.
“Aye. I have no doubts that you can handle things as they come at you, darling. You have more than proven yourself. Loyal, dedicated. My love, you know that I would give you the moon and the stars. However, I shall not budge on this topic. There is no room for negotiation. Though, if you require certain things from Jude, he is at your beckon call. He serves and protects, that is his obligation to me until the day he takes his last breath. Negotiations of this caliber require an equal exchange, and let’s be frank, my darling….you have no blood to offer.” The end of a contract was death. The result was the same for a breach of that same contract.
He tilted his head and leaned forward a bit. “Also, have you brought this up in discussion with Jude? Is this what he wants or is this the future that you want for him?” Sticking your nose into the jamb of a door was liable to get it shut upon.
Cas wasn’t wrong, the only thing he had to give was himself and, shocker, the devil already had that. Nate was running out of paths forward, quickly. “And I can’t lose much more blood today or I’ll be roommates with Fox.” Maybe he should give up, let it drop and just have everything play out the way they would have if he didn’t open his mouth.
“I spoke with him after the transfer a few months ago, I wouldn’t go to you without talking to him first,” the speedster did things the right way. “And I went into this knowing I couldn’t give him the future that he probably should have after dying,” That was the part that Nate wanted to avoid going forward, both for Jude’s sake and Caspian’s. “But I understand that you’re not interested and I’ll drop it, Cas.”
“Sorry to throw a wrench into your plans, my love. I know that you mean well. It’s one of your best qualities. You look after others, you have their well-being and interests at heart. To me, it’s strictly business.” While Jude was part of this little messed up family, he had a role to play just like everyone else. Value. He was marrying Ian because Caspian was allowing it. He understood the value in that union even though it brought Laura closer to the circle. It also gave him leverage, though.
Caspian reached for Nate’s hand. “If you find something worth bartering with, perhaps we can find a path toward some salvation.” He wasn’t a total monster but for now, that blue eyed mini devil was his and it would take the man downstairs himself to come fetch the lad before Cas would let go.
Nate smiled softly at him, shrugging softly, “I had to try, I just appreciate you listening and not immediately thinking that I’m trying to think I was preparing a coup.” It would be stupid to try and seize power from the devil, that was the last thing the speedster wanted. He was hoping to strike a balance between fear and compassion. “And I’d like to make it very clear that this was my idea, not Jude’s. So I’d like to request that any and all angry slash unamused eyebrows are delivered to me directly to be dealt with accordingly,” His lips pressed to Caspian’s knuckles.
He had never expected to succeed on the first try, that would be foolish. Nate was patient to a fault at times, but he’d continue to work his angle. There was something out there that would lead to a bit more freedom for Jude, he just needed to find it.
Caspian knew a lot about being patient. He could bide his time like the best of them and strike when the moment was right. Sometimes the opportunity came quickly. Often, it came slowly.
“Trust is a big thing for me,” he reminded Nate gently. “However, I trust you and if I believed you wanted a mutiny, my love, we wouldn’t be sharing fries.” Or be wearing promises. “What I will always do is hear your opinion, whether I like it or not. You are my partner, and you have a right to say what is on your mind without fear of retaliation. If your voice is the one which echoes the concerns of the people then so be it - perhaps it’s a smart avenue with all things considered. But sacrifice is part of this. We can’t all come out alive in every situation. Life is a give and a take. If I don’t hold onto what is mine, someone else will snatch it from me.” That was made clear with the usurp from Laura.
That kiss on his knuckles brought up a bit of a grin. “You devil. So selfless, you are. It’s one of the many things I adore about you.” He sighed softly. “Find something to negotiate with that I can’t refuse and I’ll come to your meeting.”
“The only part of your empire I truly and wholly want is you, don’t you worry,” nothing about Nate screamed ‘yes, hi, I’d like to be a drug lord’ so the business was safely residing in those capable hands. “But I understand and I’ll have to keep an eye out for shiny things that would make a worthwhile offer,” he had pondered talking to the other Brit, though it didn’t seem like the best option. Ian, while his alliance was forced, would never agree to that. Not to mention, Caspian already had Jude, that means he already had the bruiser by proxy.
The barest hint of blush crossed those cheeks, a coy little smile on his lips, “I make sure the only people punished for my actions is me, love. It’s only fair.” Nate gave Caspian’s hand a squeeze before reaching for a small pastry box, “Though I can still butter you up, for being such a good sport.”