Calling Asher was completely out of the question because he had a feeling that the call wouldn’t end cheerfully.
Tired of napping on the bed, he decided to try a change of atmosphere, snagging up pillows and a blanket.
He settled in the second-floor living room, arranging the things he brought on a three-seater couch.
He planned to watch shows until he slept off, and if he couldn’t sleep, he would eat lunch and try again.
Before getting cozy on the couch, he decided to go grab himself some water instead of having someone bring it to him.
And he was greeted with a rather peculiar sight at the kitchen entrance.
The male cooking staff were all pitching in to move an industrial-sized popcorn maker into the kitchen.
Caspian’s mouth dropped open, "What’s going on?"
He had to ask although it was pretty obvious, because despite how obvious it was, he still had a hard time wrapping his head around it.
A man in a chef’s uniform wiped the sweat off his face before responding, "The boss ordered it."
Caspian still couldn’t close his mouth, because no way Asher actually did this.
When the Alpha had mentioned getting a popcorn maker, he had pictured a small compact appliance, not one that would sit right at home at a theme park.
"Would you like some popcorn?" Another asked, "We can have this set up in no time and make a batch."
"R-Right," Caspian muttered, "As long as you all eat some as well."
They resumed moving the big glass structure again, disappearing into the kitchen with it.
A maid with a friendly smile stopped him at the door, "Did you need something? You could have just called."
"I just need some water," Caspian pouted, feeling scolded although the maid had said nothing about that.
"Be back in a moment!" She said before going into the kitchen.
The kitchen staff were really taking Jael’s instructions seriously, they hadn’t let him in since then.
The maid reappeared with a tray holding two jugs and cups. One of the jugs held cucumber water, and the other held sweet tea.
"I’ll just help you with this," The maid offered, holding the tray firmly so he couldn’t even try to reach for it.
Caspian just gave up because he could never win with the house staff, they pampered him worse than a pregnant woman.
The maid made sure to pour him a glass of each before happily going her way, and Caspian knew that in a few more minutes, she or someone else would be returning with an unhealthy amount of popcorn.
He was tempted to call Asher just to scold him but he doubted that it would get through to the Alpha.
Complaining about being treated so well was a little redundant so he didn’t protest when the maid offered to refill the delicate jug with more tea when she brought him popcorn.
The aesthetic bowl was just as big as he had been expecting but the popcorn was so fresh, the buttery scent filling the room.
He was halfway through the bowl, riveted on the show he was watching when one of the two doors swung open.
There had been a couple of polite knocks but Caspian had been too distracted to hear, freezing like a deer in front of a truck when the door opened.
Jael had a look of genuine concern on his face, and Caspian could imagine the image he presented.
Huddled in a pile of blankets and pillows, half drowning in a large bowl of popcorn.
"You’re back early!" He beamed, feeling the stickiness on his face.
"I’m starting to think I should have stayed away longer," Jael muttered, walking in.
"Don’t be like that now," Caspian pouted, generously holding out his bowl. "Popcorn?"
"Does that have something to do with the remodeling going on?" Jael sat on a nearby sofa, taking the offered snack.
Caspian frowned, an amusing expression with all the crumbs on his face and hands. "Remodeling?"
He had sat in the living room all morning, and it was well past noon now, and he hadn’t heard a single thud.
"Yeah," Jael said dryly, his expression soft. "Pretty sure one of the rooms downstairs is being turned into a cinema room... this is really great popcorn by the way," He added while munching.
"Asher is doing what?"
A maid walked in with a bright smile at that point, holding another sizzling bowl of popcorn.
That was Caspian’s snapping point, "Can I borrow your phone for a second?" He asked Jael.
The Beta looked amused, handing the device over without questions. He swapped out Caspian’s bowl of popcorn for a fresh one, kicking off his shoes.
With the way things had been between Caspian and Asher when he left, he hadn’t expected to meet this when he returned.
It was comforting in a way he didn’t at all expect, it reminded him that he still had a lot to live for.
Caspian was already calling up Asher while he reached for the TV remote to turn down the volume, he didn’t want to miss any part of it.
"Jael?" Asher’s said in disbelief immediately after speaking.
"No, it’s Caspian," The Omega corrected, blue eyes blazing.
That didn’t help Asher’s confusion at all, "Caspian? Why are you with Jael?"
"Jael came back," Caspian was generous enough to inform him before going right on.
"Why are you making a cinema room? And what is with the industrial-sized popcorn machine?" He demanded without giving Asher the chance to defend himself.
"You can’t just go overboard and get everything I talk about..." Caspian went on, only pausing to eat some popcorn.
Jael could hear Asher’s laughter ring clearly through the phone, marveling at the sound.
"Does that mean you like it?" Asher drawled.
"No..." Another munching break, "You’ve got some explaining to do at dinner time."
With that he hung up, and handed the phone back to Jael.
"Do you want some tea?" He offered, already pouring the tea.
"Yeah, sure." He agreed, smiling lightly.