"Well, yes... Caspian is coming over, and I wanted to let you know."
"That’s fine," Davian allowed, relieved that it wasn’t the other way around.
He wanted to tell Lake that he didn’t need to get permission each time but he was greedy. He wanted Lake to keep him informed about what he was doing even more.
"Do you want to come in?" Davian asked against his better judgment when Lake hung at the door.
With the Omega present, he wouldn’t be able to get any work done and he knew it.
Lake reluctantly stepped in, going over a hundred scenarios in his head about how this conversation could go wrong.
"I just wanted to ask if you needed any help," He nearly stumbled over his own words.
Davian’s eyes went out of focus for a moment, "What?"
"Not with the cooking," Lake hastily corrected, "I could help you with the filing, I catch on pretty quickly..."
The more Lake said, the less confident he became. This was such a terrible idea.
He didn’t even have his high school degree, what was he doing?
Davian deeply considered this, "And what about the wedding you’re planning?"
"The wedding isn’t going to last forever, and I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing."
Davian could see no downsides to this, he would get to have Lake with him at all times, and he would be in charge of how much workload the Omega would have.
"You’re welcome to help me out," He replied in measured tones, Lake’s unexpected smile stealing his attention next.
"Thank you," Lake said gratefully, backing out of the room, Caspian would be over soon.
Lake was dressed in ripped jeans and a simple shirt... Caspian couldn’t have chosen a better time for a visit.
First, he really wanted to know what the verdict was regarding the engagement party, and next, he needed Caspian’s advice on what to wear to the festival.
Caspian was already in the foyer when Lake got to the stairs, the Omega starting to get accustomed to the space.
Lake hurried down the stairs with a bright smile on his face, giving Caspian’s outfit a passing glance.
"Come up to my room," He invited, taking the Omega’s hand. "I honestly thought the text was a mistake..."
And rightfully so, because Caspian barely texted, and he hadn’t expected Asher to let his friend visit again so soon.
"I got into world chats in the games I play," Caspian said sheepishly, half of his beautiful face covered by a scarf.
Lake opened the door self-consciously, the room awash in the light of the late morning sun.
"Why are you all covered up?" Lake finally asked, curious and concerned.
Caspian took off his shoes as he stepped into the room, comfortable in the soft-themed room.
Instead of a verbal response, Caspian slowly took the scarf wrapped around his neck to reveal a turtleneck underneath.
All of Lake’s curiosity disappeared, leaving only concern behind. "Are those teeth marks on your jaw?"
"Asher wasn’t too happy that I kept him out of the house last night," Caspian murmured, his face dusted pink.
Lake really didn’t want to hear more details, "I’m guessing you didn’t get around to asking about the engagement party," He asked with a bitten-back smile.
They were both perched on the bed, Caspian looking a tad uncomfortable in the turtleneck and jeans he wore, and not without good reason, it was still too warm to be so covered up.
"They are on my arms," He reported, speaking with a steady voice despite his colored cheeks.
Lake dissolved into laughter this time, keeping his thoughts on the moment. "You’re welcome to change into something more comfortable..."
He got off the bed to make his way to his closet, "Talking about clothes, Davian invited me to accompany him to a festival."
Caspian got off the bed and followed after him, socked feet against the soft carpet. "A festival?" He repeated curiously.
"It’s a party for executives, I have no idea what to wear." Lake explained as he rifled through the closet for something Caspian could wear.
"I don’t know if I’m one to ask for advice," Caspian said with a grimace, "Asher banned the last outfit I wore to an event."
That response brought Lake’s head out of the closet, "Now, I’m curious." He grinned.
Caspian felt less self-conscious after Lake’s reaction, divulging what happened as Lake gave him a cozy shirt that had the Omega’s honey scent threaded through the very fabric and drawstring shorts.
"The only thing to do is to wear something worse for your engagement party," Lake incited, half-teasing, half-serious.
"That sounds like an awful idea, I’ll consider it." Caspian laughed as he hopped back on the bed. "Having your own bedroom must be nice."
Lake ignored the parallels Caspian was making, because it could hardly be called having his own room.
"Davian’s room is right through that door," He pointed, "You could try to convince Asher to have connecting rooms."
Once again, Lake ignored the parallels, their situation was clearly very different.
"I might," Caspian trailed off, staring into space. "How’s it being pregnant?" He snapped back to say, trying to sound flippant and failing.
Lake gave his friend a meaningful look but gave a light answer nonetheless, "Unpredictable. Last night, we were supposed to eat out, and it got canceled right at the start because I got taken out by the fizz in non-alcoholic wine."
Caspian sat up to listen with interest, crystal blue eyes alight, full lips stretched in a smile. "Oh my God?"
"I got nauseous and then slept off right in the middle of dinner." Lake tutted.
"That sounds awful, I’m sorry," Caspian said while laughing.
"That’s convincing" Lake pushed his hands through his hair, his tone dry.
It made Caspian place a hand over his mouth but it didn’t stop his laughter, tickling him harder.
"Do you want a baby?" Lake said bluntly, not great at beating around the bush.
Caspian’s smile fell off his face, the Omega picking up one of the soft gold pillows to keep his hands busy. "I’m not sure, maybe being around you is making me catch baby fever."
The Omega couldn’t look him in the eyes as he spoke, and without asking Lake knew he was hiding something. He didn’t push, whenever Caspian was ready, he would open up.