Dorian wasn’t going to give up on the task Caspian had sent him to accomplish. He had procured some tuna from the room service kitchen, had a bag of items he thought would work, and had gone back to that area of the jungle where things went wrong. Now he was walking to Caspian and Nate’s room with a growling box with holes poked in top, pillow case, and his left hand with a t-shirt wrapped tightly around the palm.
He looked exhausted, quietly cursing himself for having such a limited ability. But Dorian kept moving through the lobby normally and came to a stop at his dear friend and boss’s door, and tapped his bracelet to let the blue-eyed Devil know he was there.
Caspian knew that Dorian was there long before the bracelet illuminated. ‘Coming, darling.’ He finished pulling into a shirt and then made for the door with a bit of a spring in his step. He’d been putting the meeting off of having the conversation regarding the incident getting out of hand in favor of letting Dorian have another chance to succeed. It seems he hadn’t been disappointed.
He opened the door and beckoned his friend inside. Blue eyes fell to the box. “Ah! Are these what I’ve been seeking?” Those little feral sounds indicated that it was. Cas noted the palm. “Set them down on the desk, if you’d please, and I’ll have a look at your hand. Have a seat.” Dorian seemed to fare better against the kittens than his best men, which was comforting and curious.
Dorian knew Caspian would know, but he didn’t want to announce himself with a thought. There was still worry about past disappointments. The lanky long haired man breathed as he heard Caspian’s voice in his mind. Things had gotten out of control with Fox, Rex, Nate, and the kittens. And he was going to do whatever it took and what he had in his power to accomplish.
As he saw the Devil and was urged inside, he did step inside and make his way over to the desk. Nodding, he set the box down on the desk. Dorian had taken a glass from his room along with the box, a t-shirt, and tuna. Then he broke it and used a fragment of it to slice his hand in the off-chance that blood was more of an incentive for the kittens than the fish. Sitting down, he didn’t meet Caspian’s eyes.
“Well?” Caspian indulged. Those blues fixed upon his dearest friend with anticipation. “Let’s see your hand, love. Blood isn’t your color, I’m afraid.” He grabbed up a small emergency kit, ignoring the feral sounds leaking out of the vibrating box. Instead, he pulled over another chair and opened up the kit. “Look at you getting resourceful,” he murmured, taking Dorian’s hand gently. He unwrapped the binding and cradled Dorian’s hand tenderly to examine. “Not too deep, which is good, although I must say do try to be more careful when carving out a promise in your lifeline,” those blues lifted with amusement. “I shall have you right as rain in no time.” And then he began the mending process, taking his time to clean the wound.
Dorian was about to untie the ripped t-shirt bandage he had fashioned, but flinched at the sounds of the kittens. “Thank you, Caspian,” he breathed and lifted his head. And Dorian smiled as he saw those beautifully devilish blue eyes. “Was not sure if the tuna would tempt them or blood,” he spoke and nibbled on the inside of his lower lip. “I did not want to talk to you in person without what you wanted considering how my first attempt went.”
“Smart choice,” Caspian murmured. Once the wound was cleaned to his liking, he began the careful task of patching. With a shallow laceration, time would be on Dorian’s side for healing. “I say, you’ve come out of the kitten fiasco the least injured. Bravo.” No cliff diving adventures or major injuries sustained by small claws. Tenderly, he set a clean swath of bandage across Dorian’s palm. “Well then, you should be back in order soon.” Picking up the small bits of trash, he stuck them into the bin and then turned to their new friend. “What a horrible creature you are,” Caspian greeted, although his smile mirrored that of a predator.
Dorian didn’t flinch as Caspian took care of his wound. They had been through worse. “Thank you. I tried patience this time and less men.” Would his dearest friend remain happy with him? “It was only fair.” Dorian added as he lifted his head and watched Caspian turn his attention to the feral kitten. “Are you pleased?”
“Is that what you’re after?” Caspian glanced over at Dorian with amusement. “Do you think I would’ve let you in if things pointed to the opposite?” He ignored the feral rumbles diving out of the box. “My darling, I hope that you would be the first to know if I was not pleased with you. You are a survivor, you have been through a lot in your time and you’ve yet to falter on a promise.” His smile grew a bit. “and I hear that you’re warming up to Nate. Tell me, has your opinions of him shifted any?”
“I feared your disapproval, your disappointment,” Dorian confessed. It was the truth. He highly valued Caspian’s friendship and history. Nodding, he breathed. “And I kept it.” Then he blinked at the mention of Nate. “He is a good man. Kind and concerned. Much more mature than I thought.” Dorian watched Caspian, his brown eyes wider than usual. “And has his changed of me?”
“And quite a realistic fear that is,” Caspian replied. “Though you have proven yourself, darling. Don’t fret. All right? I suspect you will know of any changes without me having to clue you in.” So far Dorian had been one of the only ones he could truly rely on. Dorian wasn’t all muddled up in a relationship or trying to find his legs in the nest. “Your suspicions were justified,” he murmured. “I would’ve done the same thing, I don’t blame you. Protecting each other is what you and I have done to survive. But Nate has your best interests at heart. Jude, too. Recently he’s come to me for contractual renegotiations.” Caspian smiled, “I think you are beginning to grow on him, dear. You can trust him to lead you the right way.”
Dorian was silent for a moment, breathing deeply. “All right.” Then he nodded, knowing and trusting Caspian more than anyone. He’d do anything for him. “Being cautious is what I do. Mmm, he has a big heart. Ready to run to help like he did with Mr. Alder.” Dorian was a quiet one unless the mission called for it. He hadn’t been able to let himself relax enough to get involved in a relationship. He was too vigilant - watching out for Caspian’s interests.
Relationships could muddy up the waters. It was harder to keep your motives and intentions clear. “There are moments where we show our true colors, and other times where we show off the sides which aren’t normally seen.” Being helpful was a trait that they didn’t always get to flex. Sometimes it was a hidden gem, but then they took care of each other. “I feel both qualities have purpose in defining who we are. You are included in that.” He smiled a bit, “And I am always thankful for your caution.”
And as far as Dorian believed, he wanted his mind and heart to remain clear to help Caspian. “Yes,” he nodded. Being helpful, being careful. Dorian had gone a little further than that to assure success. Then he genuinely smiled at Caspian. “You’re welcome. And I’m thankful for your encouragement.”
Caspian nodded. “Guiding you is what I signed up for all of those years ago, darling. I shan’t waiver on you now.” Then he shifted the subject a bit, “I am planning on taking Nate back to New York, soon. I would like you to accompany us. There are affairs out of sorts that need adjusting and we want to see Caitlyn. I am sure she would love to see you, as well.”
Dorian smiled softly at Caspian. This was the Blue-Eyed Devil who scooped him up so long ago. The man he privately swore his life. With a deep breath, he nodded and then his eyes brightened at the mention of New York again, the opportunity to go and help, and see Caitlyn. “I will go with you and help wherever I am needed. And yes,” he grinned and laughed lightly. “I’d love to see her.”
“It’s settled, then. I shall get with Nate to see when we should plan our adventure and let you know. I suspect we will also eventually head to California, that is where he is from, after we’ve come back. I’ll have to read more into the rules of travel frequency. How is your hand? I believe we have some leftover pain medication from Nate’s knee incident if you need.”
“All right.” Dorian nodded and his heart rate increased at the mention of California. He hadn’t been there before, having grown up in the concrete jungle that was New York. “It’s okay, a little painful but that will subside.”
“You shall come with us then, as well.” There wasn’t any missing the buzz of Dorian’s mind at the mention of the West Coast. It also wasn’t a question. He nodded. “I shall let you get back to your duties. This kitten needs time to adjust and the less who are in its pathway the better.”
And Dorian didn’t take it as such. “Yes,” he nodded and slowly began to stand. “Be careful. Please call me if you need assistance,” Dorian asked as he stepped away and moved towards the door.
“You are the only person I can still trust,” Caspian replied. He glanced up at the shadow by the door. “Do what you will with it.” With that, he turned to peer curiously at the furry green paw that had jutted out of one of the holes and was attempting to claw him.