Jael noted that Caspian had mentioned dinner time like it was a routine, even though he had barely been gone for two days.
But considering that in the week Asher was gone, Caspian had managed to get him to do the same, he wasn’t entirely surprised.
"Boo!" Caspian complained at the screen, tossing a popcorn at it. "It’s no fun if you can easily predict the killer."
"I couldn’t," Jael chimed in, "I think you’ve been watching too many crime shows."
Caspian looked affronted by this but he couldn’t find a comeback.
"Fine, let’s watch something instead," He huffed, "How well do you do with horror?"
Jael gave him a look, "You don’t look like your movie tastes."
This time, Caspian tossed a popcorn at Jael, "I feel like I should be offended by that..."
"You’re welcome to take it as you like," He invited, resting against the pillows he had stolen from Caspian.
This wasn’t the worst way he had spent an afternoon, and it was one of the few he wouldn’t mind repeating.
It was also nice to talk freely with Caspian , the air between them lighter.
"So horror?" Caspian brought them back on track.
"I’m yet to watch one that has managed to scare me," Jael shrugged.
Caspian took one look at the Beta’s lifeless dark eyes, and nodded. "Yeah, I can see why."
"Just put a show on, we’re going to run out of popcorn at this rate." He said flatly.
Caspian made a face at that, "I doubt that."
The horror movie was fun... at least from Jael’s perspective.
The best parts were Caspian throwing popcorn at that television whenever he got jumpscared, which was every other scene.
Jael peered at the popcorn-covered carpet, "You’re going to be doing a lot of cleaning."
Caspian had a sour expression on as he avoided the gruesome scene although he was the one to suggest a horror movie.
"Wouldn’t be the first time..."
He wasn’t even allowed to do so much as pick up the stray popcorn because a maid showed up the moment he picked the first three up.
It was almost like there was an alarm that went off whenever he tried to do any menial task.
By dinner time, the living room was spotless again, and Caspian arranged for dinner to be served in the dining room.
’For proper etiquette’.
Not being allowed to do anything by himself meant that he gave out more and more orders.
It felt a little odd to do.
Caspian forgot about scolding Asher for the cinema room he was yet to see and the popcorn machine because the Alpha showed up with something worse.
"You got me a car?" Caspian stared at the shiny new car key in his hand.
"You’ll need one if you’ll be getting driving lessons," Asher said casually.
"That’s... that’s right but there are tens of them in the mansion," Caspian said helplessly, "I could just drive one of those."
"Having yours makes no difference..."
Seated on the dining table watching them go back and forth was a content Jael.
He ate peacefully while they bickered, deciding that it was better entertainment than a horror movie.
He also wanted to mention to Caspian that, lecturing someone who bought him for millions on a whim about spending would probably not go over well.
"...you got me a sports car? I can’t even drive..."
Jael settled in to enjoy his dinner, the back and forth was going to take a while.
Dinner ended with Caspian getting Asher to agree to stop being so spontaneous with getting him expensive things.
Asher was quick to agree which was the first red flag, Jael knew then that the Alpha would be back to buying things the next day.
He didn’t mind it, maybe watching horror movies in the cinema room would make them a little scary.
The popcorn was an excellent addition and going for morning drives in the sports car would be nice.
If anything, Caspian was making Asher get things that they should have gotten a long time ago.
"Why don’t we go test drive your new car?" He suggested after dinner.
"Caspian doesn’t know how to drive," Asher frowned, "Besides it only fits two."
"Bold of you to assume you were invited," Jael said with a deadpan expression.
Caspian interrupted at this point, "Why don’t you two go on a drive instead?" He suggested, handing over the key to Asher.
"I think I’ll go to bed early," He added with a yawn and a wide stretch, heading for the door.
Spending the entire day watching movies with Jael meant that he hadn’t slept a wink all day.
Eating so much food didn’t help either, it only served to make him more tired and lethargic.
Asher watched Caspian leave with a torn expression, he wanted nothing more than to go right after him.
He glanced at Jael who was waiting patiently for him to make up his mind, he still needed to talk to him so...
"Fine," He reluctantly agreed, walking to the door. "But I’m driving."
Jael didn’t argue, going right after him.
Caspian new car glimmered in the artificial lights of the mansion, it was so flashy that it made Jael wince.
"He’s going to chew you out when he sees it," He muttered as he got in.
Asher shrugged, unfazed, a peeved Caspian would make his day.
He kept the top of the roof on as they drove away from the mansion, keeping the speed low.
They didn’t exactly have a destination so they were just cruising.
"Is your vacation over so soon?" Asher asked bluntly.
"I didn’t trust that you wouldn’t try to do something stupid in my absence."
Asher didn’t dispute this, keeping his focus on the road, "Yeah, you’re right, I can’t be trusted."
Jael made a tutting sound as he sank into the new seat, Asher didn’t even try to hide the smile in his voice.
"Are you and Caspian doing okay?" He turned the conversation on Asher.