Asher’s expression darkened, "Everyone seemed to like it too."
Caspian couldn’t hold back his smile even if he tried, settling on jeans that fit snugly and a little top that showed off his mid-riff.
The hotel turned out to be really private, which was Caspian’s preference, and Asher’s too because although there were few guests on the rooftop restaurant, he insisted on a private room.
They hadn’t spoken about Asher’s rut or their decision to exchange mating marks ever since the last mishap of the Alpha’s rut.
There was no reason to, Caspian wasn’t going to mark him unless he was getting a mating mark in return.
And he was content to wait for as long as Asher needed....
"Asher? Why are you filling my glass with wine? I asked for water."
The Alpha didn’t even try to hide his ulterior motives, "You should try the wine, it’s nice."
Caspian snorted, "You don’t even like wine."
"But I like you drunk," He said shamelessly.
Caspian’s face burned, sometimes he badly wanted to know what was going on in Asher’s head, and other times, he desperately wished the Alpha would keep his thoughts to himself.
He luckily hadn’t gotten a hangover the night he had gotten drunk, but he really couldn’t remember how most of the night had went, it was a little concerning.
He could protest Asher blatantly trying to get him drunk again but the Alpha’s admission had been enough to get him to fold, so instead of turning him down like he should, he reached for the wine glass.
Caspian humored Asher but he sipped cautiously, and by the third lunch date in a row that involved wine, he had reached his limit.
He was laughing as Asher was dutifully pouring him another glass of wine.
"I’m almost hurt that you keep asking me out on dates just to get me drunk."
Asher took his teasing claims serious, "I wouldn’t do that."
Caspian reached across the table to take his hand, "I know that but I kind of feel bad being the only one to drink the expensive wines you keep ordering."
Because he barely finished a glass, but Asher kept ordering a different make, each time.
Asher emptied the glass he had poured for him, the citrus scent of the white wine filling the table.
"We’re supposed to drink it together," He scolded, his face starting to hurt from smiling.
He liked the wine tasting but even more than that, he liked the lunch dates they were starting to make a habit out of.
By the time the three weeks were up for Asher’s doctor’s visit, they had found a healthy balance, spending more time with each other and saying how they felt more often.
Caspian didn’t ask about it, knowing that Asher would come to him when he was ready, and the Alpha did.
Sometimes, their lunch dates were evening drives, Caspian was supposed to be learning to drive on these rides but they never focused on that.
"I went to the doctor’s today," Asher started, the telltale stretch of silence before he said that had been very telling.
Caspian tried to be casual about it, he doubted anything was wrong but there was still a bit of anxiety to be felt.
"He said everything looks great but if I go back on inhibitors, there’s a high chance that there will be issues again."
Caspian listened intently, "Do you feel any different?" He asked gently, he wanted to give Asher a way out.
He didn’t want him to feel like the three weeks was a deadline he had to keep to.
"Not really," He shrugged, "Do you mind if Jael takes you on an evening drive tomorrow instead of me?"
Caspian had to pause for a moment to process his words... what?
The request was so unexpected that he didn’t register when he accepted, because why did Jael have to take him on a drive?
He only went on them because he got to spend time with Asher, it wasn’t like he would die without going on a short drive.
"Will you be busy tomorrow?" He asked hesitantly, his tongue getting in the way of his words.
"Very," Asher impressed, "I’ll tell you all about it later."
Now Caspian was concerned, "I can just wait for you at home."
He wanted to talk further about Asher’s hospital trip, but he didn’t want to unwittingly pressure Asher while trying to comfort him.
But the offer of Jael taking him on a drive the next day had come completely out of left court that he momentarily forgot about Asher hospital visits and rut complications.
"Jael wouldn’t mind," Asher reassured him.
Caspian opened his mouth and closed it again, that... that wasn’t what he was worried about.
He had already agreed though so he just let the matter go, after all he would find out what was going on when Asher got back from wherever to be or whatever he needed to do.
"Right," He muttered, questions brimming on the tip of his tongue.
Questions that would have to wait for the mean time.
Caspian didn’t dwell on the drive he had gone on with Asher the day before, especially as Asher didn’t act any differently.
The Alpha sweetly kissed him goodbye and went off to work, and as the day went on, he almost completely forgot about it.
Household matters kept him busy instead.
Patty had come to become the accountant handling the books of the entire mansion, not just the kitchen, and she was performing superbly.
She made sure to report to him frequently enough, and to get his opinions and approval on things before she sent them off to Jael who just provided the funds for it without much thought.
So, he was startled to find the Beta back at the mansion before it was even lunch time.
"Did you forget something?" He had to ask when Jael dropped in at the kitchen study to check up on him.
"Not quite," Jael scratched his hair, "Asher said to take you on a drive."