Chapter 118: Comfort the dragon way
"I-I’m not-" Cass cut off, unable to get the words out in the face of Draken’s gentle touch, and body heat. He dropped his gaze. "It’s not what it looks like." He muttered instead, and Draken scoffed.
"You’re trembling like a leaf at the mention of someone who is supposed to be family, Cassian. How is this not exactly what it looks like?" Draken’s tone was cold, and Cass winced. Draken shifted closer, releasing his hold on the other armrest to wrap his arm around Cass’ waist, pulling him forward. Cass didn’t have an option to fight him, his body battered and bruised, and Draken sighed as their bodies met in the middle. Draken adjusted his hold, tucking Cass’ head against his shoulder, his one arm wrapping around him tightly, while the other hand was on the back of his head.
"You don’t need to do this." Cass protested and Draken growled again. This time, because Cass was pressed against him, he was able to feel the sound that emanated from him, rattling his bones and body. It was oddly...nice?
"Forget the husband and mate thing, this is the right thing to do when someone you care for has had a rough childhood. At least when my parents abandoned me, I had someone else to fill their shoes." Draken complained. "Fuck. I feel like such a total ass. How long have I been alive? How long have I interacted with others?" Draken muttered, more to himself, and Cass just listened to him.
He normally didn’t like hugs on principle. He had rarely hugged his sister, and she had rarely hugged him. They had held hands often, and other little touches, but hugs? They felt like they were taboo. Cass understood why as Draken’s heat enfolded him.
This felt far more intimate then the moment he had with Vespertine. Kissing? That had nothing on the way his heart was thumping in his chest, his body being warmed by Draken’s higher body temperature, and the way he was able to feel every little muscle twitch and shift of the man pressed against him.
Cass could feel panic filling him in waves. This felt like too much, and then he’d get used to it, and then he’d panic about getting used to it.
"D-Draken, this is-" Cass tried to speak, but Draken pushed his head against his throat, effectively silencing him.
"Let me care for you, Cassian, and would you stop calling me Draken? That’s the shitty name that the Kingdom gave me. Call me by my first name." Draken’s voice so close to his ear had Cass shivering without his control.