LUKE

The warm spring air was laced with sugar and honeysuckles. If Luke had the time, he would've opened every window and door in the home. This was Zipper's favorite time of year. She'd work in her garden for hours and fill every empty kettle, jar, and cup with flowers she'd find. It was like living in a flower shop.

"You'll call me if you need me, won't you?" Astrid asked Luke for the one thousand and one time. It was taking all morning getting her out the door... well, convincing her to walk through the coat closet that was also a portal that lead to several places, one place including Astrid's daughter's home where she planned to visit for the next week.

Luke insisted she go.

She needed the rest.

Needed the separation from Luke's curse.

After the incident with Ernest Gellar, Astrid had been tenser than usual and he couldn't blame her at all. Luke had asked her what the wizard was hunting for and she said, "A list of things... Everyone knows Iris had many strange relics, but... they're not supposed to know where she lives."

It hit Luke suddenly that holding the reception in her home was a terrible mistake. Thinking back, Luke realized Zipper never had people over and now, Luke essentially drew a bullseye to the magical world's largest treasure horde.

This realization infuriated Lord Cassian Alwyn, who grunted and grumbled over the fact she had stolen his Fortress Ring and wasn't even using it to protect the house. He said, "That old bat probably threw it in a drawer and it's collecting dust. Ridiculous."

Luke would like to say Cassian's near-death experience softened his dragon scales, but that'd be a lie. The only thing that warmed up between them was their tempers.

"Astrid, everything is going to be fine," Luke said, trying not to sigh. Leaning down, Luke sat his hand on Astrid's small shoulder and led her to the coat closet. It's door knobs were in the shape of hands reaching out for a shake. "Cassian is here. He'll protect the house as long as he still needs to find his ring."

"But what about you, dear?" She asked, stopping at her little carpet bag that could somehow fit a week's worth of clothes, most of her cooking utensils, and an armchair that Luke wanted to give to Astrid's daughter. "You won't be lonely without me?"

Luke put on a smile. "I'm used to being alone. Besides, I have to get work done. Stay with your daughter for as long as you want."

"Alright, but don't—"

Suddenly, a pop jumpstarted Luke's heart and he let out a huge sigh. He put his hand over his heart and reminded himself that Kostas threatened him with mimosas for brunch. He looked down to Astrid smiling at him.

She said, "I'll be back in a few days."

"Okay."

He gave her a quick hug and waved goodbye as she stepped through the closet. A bright light and a rush of wind spilled through the bottom crack of the door like a train car just passed him by. All the lights flickered, and the ground trembled from the power of the magic. Luke was surprised by how much he was getting used to everything.

Sighing, Luke gathered himself up, waltzed through the kitchen, and stepped onto the back patio where Kostas prepared out a huge spread of breakfast foods: cheesy eggs, jam with butter and toast, heaps of bacon, smoked salmon to go on blankets of cream cheese on top of toasted bagels, cut up fruits, and Luke's choice of pancakes or waffles.

The patio was covered by long wooden beams dripping with purple wisteria. It was fully furnished with love, large color rugs, potted plants, and lots of places to sit and bask in the huge backyard and garden. There were no fences. Just the woods outlining the property... where Luke could spot his friend, the sasquatch crowding behind a bush as if no one could see him.

"Finally, you're back," Kostas said, handing Luke a flute of bubbling mimosa that was a bit lighter in color than Luke usually saw. "I was forced to entertain myself. Your boyfriends are no fun."

Luke choked on his first sip.

Cassian loudly sighed.

Cassian sat at the head of the patio dining table with nothing but a small coffee in front of him and a book. He made it known he didn't trust Kostas and that all visitors shall be monitored by him personally. Luke thought he was being too much, which Cassian guffawed at that and quickly reminded Luke that he was the one that let Ernest Gellar waltz inside the home. No questions asked.

"Kostas," Luke said and sipped his mimosa again for strength. "Just pretend Lord Alwyn isn't here. Consider him a part of the décor. It's what I do." 

Unfortunately, Luke had come to the realization that Lord Cassian Alwyn was only likable, only liked him when no one else was around. It was like he had to perform a show in front of others that he was the big mean powerful dragon and Luke just happened to be the nearest target. 

Yesterday, Kostas called, just checking in on Luke.

It was kind. It was genuine. And Luke couldn't turn him away when Kostas offered to help with the whole Sasquatch situation. He arrived this morning and shook his head at Luke. "You look like you've been living in that shirt."

Luke didn't look like it.

He was.

Kostas bullied him back upstairs to his room and forced him a pair of beige linen pants that he rolled up and a white linen shirt that Kostas refused to let him button all the way up. Luke drew the line at wearing one of Zipper's sun hats.

"You're only allowed to dress like a slob for brunch if you're still hung over from the previous night." Costa said, sporting his own wide legged pants, a floral shirt, opened to show his ultra-tight white shirt that sat underneath. He tied back his wavy dark hair. The sun loved his warm tan skin, making the merman glow.

"This is all such a waste of time," Cassian spoke up, despite no one asking him.

"No such thing," Kostas insisted, ignoring Luke's advice. He pointed at the dragon with his drink. "Having a good time is never a waste of time. If we can't go a little..." He debated the words; his face so expressive Luke was starting to think of himself as a robot. "Extra with the food and getting dressed up then when can we do it? Now stop pouting and eat something."

Cassian looked up with a withering look that made Kostas's confidence crack. The merman retreated closer to Luke, putting Luke between them as Kostas slid his arm around Luke's shoulders. "Let's check on our big hairy friend."

They walked to the edge of the patio in full view of the Sasquatch. The bush was only covering a third of the creature as he watched them right back. He attempted hiding deeper, but it was fruitless. If anything, by peeking up and down, he was making himself more noticeable.

Luke's heart ached for him.

"I'm just worried about him," Luke explained. "He had to come from somewhere, right? This isn't his normal habitat? Is he finding food? I think he's gotten skinnier."

"But what's the end goal here? You want to make friends?"

"No, well... maybe? I want to offer him some food back or some water. I just wanna thank him, tell him I'm okay, and he can go back home."

"Well, you have to get him to break the wood line."

"I know, but I can't even wave at him without making him run away."

From the Wisteria, Luke could hear the pixies giggling.

"Unfortunately, curing someone of their shyness is about as easy as making a vampire go vegan." Kostas nudged Luke as he grinned so bright, Luke had to wince at its power. He walked back to the canvas bag he brought and took out two pink conch shells. "Introducing the mermaid's cellphone. If the big guy doesn't wanna talk to us face to face, maybe he'll be fine with over the phone."

He tossed Luke one shell and by instinct, he placed it to his ear and the ocean waves spilled back through in return. Luke imagined that was what mermaids called a dial tone.

With a guffaw, Lord Cassian Alwyn reminded the others of his presence. He was all crossed arms, narrowed brow, and looking like the poster child of how to patronize someone. He stood to his full height and Luke turned his face away to roll his eyes for Kostas's pleasure only.

"You're either being rude to the poor creature," Cassian said, and his voice grated Luke's nerves to almost nothing. Tightening his jaw, Luke forced himself to look back at the man and he nearly swallowed his tongue. Cassian was closer than Luke thought, and he thought his jaw might break. Cassian continued, "Or you're acting stupid."

Luke was one other word out of Cassian's lips away from breathing fire himself. "Excuse me?" Luke's eyebrows flew up his forehead, praying he heard the dragon wrong. Quietly, Kostas retreated to the other side of the table with his mimosa safe in hand.

Cassian's eyes never left Luke's face. "I already told you. He's courting you. Accepting these gifts is leading him on."

"I don't lead anyone on," Luke said in a hush, not backing down an ounce, even when Cassian's heat seemed too much. "I don't lie, and I don't trick anyone."

"Are you saying you're perfect? That you do no wrong?" Cassian's brow quirked in the most irritating way.

"How could I possibly be perfect as a Whitlock with a Lord Alwyn around?"

"Right." Brushing past Luke, Cassian's edges steamed as his scales slowly appeared again. In a burst of smoke and warm, scorching light, Luke stumbled against the violent rush of wind that almost made Luke fall right over. Another gust surprised him, and Luke had to squint as he gazed at the sky eclipsed by a dragon.

Creeping back to Kostas's side, the merman said, "Well. That was something..." He eyed Luke. "Are you not... afraid of him?"

"I'm too annoyed with him to be afraid."

Looking around, Luke had sigh. The state of brunch had been desolated by hurricane force winds called Cassian Alwyn with crumbling pancake towers, spilled bowls of berries, and shattered glass on the patio ground. Luke sighed at the limp bouquet of wildflowers. The destruction clean-up derailed all of Luke's plans to convince the Sasquatch to go home.

"We'll leave old Harry a note and the conch somewhere he can find it."

Luke was busy checking his vase for nicks and cracks, he almost missed what Kostas said. He blinked at him in awe. "Did you just call the Sasquatch Harry?"

"Well! We have to call him something! And Sasquatch doesn't exactly roll off the tongue."

Just as Kostas promised, he left one conch with Luke and another with Harry, as he had now been dubbed. Even the pixies joined in, cooing at Luke for getting his boyfriend, Harry's new number. He also took another conch into the brush where the Sasquatch usually hid with a note that read:

"Don't be shy! We just want to talk to you and make sure you're okay. - Luke"

Before he left, Kostas offered, "We should hang out again. I have to find a present for my sister's birthday. Would you like to help me pick it out?"

"Oh, uh, maybe," Luke said, grasping for some sort of excuse. "I'm busy with work and well, the dragon thing."

Kostas nodded understandingly. "Well, if you're ever free. Give me another call."

"Right."

Luke put on a smile and let Kostas out, knowing fully well he wasn't going to call. It was selfish to even bring Kostas here for help. Because Luke like Kostas, he'd never ask him to return. Luke was the last member of the Whitlock family. He was the only one left for the curse to play around with... Luke was worried if all loved ones counted. 

If he loved Astrid like a aunt, would she be taken? If he were to fall in love with Kostas like a brother, would the curse sink its teeth into his heart? If he and Cassian were to ever... 

Luke locked the front door and hurried back to his room. It had been a long day already and he longed for some rest. 

#

For a few days, Luke had successfully avoided being anywhere near that dragon. They ate separately. Slept on opposite sides of the house. Cassian enjoyed the living room while Luke stayed locked up in the study with a piano he could hardly play without sobbing.

Then, it was unavoidable.

There was still an investigation underway. Luke still owed him a Fortress Ring.

While looking through Zipper's documents, Cassian had stumbled upon a deal with a local contractor to make a couple of additions to the home, but the more Luke and Cassian studied it, the less it seemed like just another half bath or a room expansion.

"If it wasn't important," Cassian had stated before Luke wanted to wring his neck, "The entrance wouldn't be the fireplace."

That was what brought them back together, but Luke maintained a foot of distance and refused to start any conversation. He gripped his flashlight and waited for Cassian to get on with it. Cassian glanced at Luke, refusing to look at him. Luke hated Cassian's eyes. His stare was as harsh, if not hotter than if Luke put his face into the belly of a campfire.

Cassian rolled his eyes.

The fireplace in the main living room was ornate by definition and grand by Zipper's design as it was made of carved marble and two serious looking lions sat perched on other ends. There was usually enough room between them to hold books, flowers, and on the occasion, Christmas décor.

Grabbing the end of the lion's tail on the left. He pulled it and the entire room shuddered. The pictures trembled and trinkets danced as the inside of the fireplace opened, its back wall lifting and revealing a stone staircase.

"After you," Cassian said.

Luke sighed, but still bent over and tiptoed inside, hit with the smell of sulfur and ash. As Luke's foot hit the final stair, lanterns sparked to life through the length of a hallway leading to more stairs. That was where Luke went, despite the queasy feeling in his stomach. This place looked like it was leading to a medieval torture chamber. He hit the first landing and Cassian saw fit to speak up.

"I don't know what you want me to say," Cassian said as if he was stressed out as if he was the one who had a right to be upset.

"Honestly, if you never spoke to me again, I'd be satisfied."

"Honestly? You don't want that. You'd rather I lie to you."

"You weren't being honest. You were being an asshole. There's a difference. Unless you really think I'm an idiot."

Cassian whirled around and suddenly Luke realized there was nowhere to go. He was pressed against the cool stone wall and the only thing he could do was look at Cassian Alwyn. Being so close, all the heat had nowhere to go, but right through Luke.

"I thought what you were trying to do was a bad idea—"

"You said stupid."

"Well, it's a stupid idea to mess with a Sasquatch."

"If you want to help me—"

Cassian guffawed again. "Help you? I'm not—"

Luke couldn't stand it. He spoke over Cassian's interruption, his heart fluttering in his ears and hands clutched at his sides "If you want to help me then tell me that. Tell me you think it's dangerous and explain it to me. I can recognize I don't know a lot about this whole magical world, but you don't have to be an asshole about it. Just...." Luke's mouth had gone dry, his nerves getting the better of him, but he refused to back down. "Just talk to me normally."

Keeping his eyes steady, Cassian stared at him for longer than Luke would've liked without him actually saying anything. His eyes traveled all over Luke's face. Eventually, he said, "You're the first person I've ever lived with."

Luke opened his mouth to insist that Cassian had to stop thinking about them as different beings, but Cassian held up his hand. It surprised Luke that Cassian would be taking this seriously. That he would listen. That he would explain, if Luke asked. Luke just wished his eyes weren't so sorrowful as he was talking about himself.

Cassian shook his head and explained, "You're the first anything I've lived with since I was a child." With a sigh, Cassian deflated slightly, and he started down the stairs again. "Dragons are solitary creatures. As soon as I could fly and make my own money, I was on my own."

"Oh." Luke let out a breath, fixed his clothes and hair. He had managed to keep his trembling at bay until Cassian looked away. Luke hurried to catch back up, asking him, "And you don't... you don't see your family? They don't come to visit?"

"Dragons historically are not trusting creatures. Even when it comes to their own family. The only one in my house is a ghost that died there." Cassian huffed again, trudging down the stairs. Every statement sounded as comfortable as pulling teeth. "Mingus is about as stubborn as me. He keeps the house tidy, does the shopping, and warns me if someone untoward shows up."

"A ghost? How—you know, I don't know why I ask."

Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, all that was left was a single vault door. A code box that required a password neither Luke nor Cassian knew. Cassian turned to him, his horrible focus back on Luke. Luke really wished Cassian would eventually stop looking at him like that. Total focus. The kind of fiery look that burned the rest of the world down and it was just Luke. As if Luke was the only one that existed.

"I think we both prefer being alone," Cassian said, and Luke couldn't argue. "But we must live together."

"We do, but we can live in harmony, if you want..."

"I can be civil."

"So can I."

They both stared again, waiting for the other to take it back, but Luke didn't. His palm itched, debating if he should offer a handshake or something... however, if Luke didn't do well under Cassian's intense stare, he couldn't imagine the trouble he'd be in if Cassian's touch was gentle. The best thing for Luke was that the only time Cassian touched him was out of anger.

"I apologize for my verbiage," Cassian said with his usual frown. "But my point stays. Leave the Sasquatch alone. He'll go away eventually if you ignore him."

It finally dawned on Luke.

Grinning, Luke shook his head. He understood it now. Cassian wasn't used to talking to people, so he spoke brashly. He was direct without learning how to be in polite society. No sugar coating. No talking around the subject. While everyone else learned to take a wall down brick by brick, Cassian learned to just knock it down.

It was kind of... childish.

In a weird way that probably meant Luke's brain was broken, but Cassian was kind of cute being so clueless.

"What?" Cassian grimaced. "Why does your face look like that?"

"It's nothing," Luke said softly. "I just... I just realized something about you."

"What?" Cassian asked again, taking a step towards Luke, which he wasn't ready for and he was flushing again.

Thankfully, Luke's phone buzzed in his pocket.

Giving up, Cassian glanced at the door. He examined the pin pad as Luke checked a message from Astrid. She warned Luke she'll be staying another week and that she was sorry. "Is everything, alright?" Cassian asked.

"Oh, uh yeah," Luke lied.

Cassian's brow twitched like he caught that.

But there was no way Luke was going to survive two weeks alone with Cassian. They were going to absolutely kill each other. Or do something worse.

Like get along. 

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello friends! Another chapter~ And Kostas came back! To help, teach Luke about brunch etiquette, and be amazing. Do you think he'll be able to worm his way into Luke's life and become his bestie? Haha. And they named the Sasquatch Harry, thoughts? Is it acceptable? 

All comments are appreciated! :))