(Quick short chapter)
Leaning back in his chair, Drake typed away at his laptop steadily. He'd been working regular hours for the past two months, and sometimes, even overtime. He'd intended to stay as he was, a lazy, nearly-useless wolf, but when he saw Warden start to struggle to keep up with their normal spending, as well as pay for Cerat's raise so that he could afford his blood... He couldn't be that terrible.
"Working late again, Drake?"
Glancing up, it took Drake a moment to blink his blurry vision back to normal in order to see Warden smiling at him from where he was leaning against the doorjamb.
"Just finishing up, hun." Drake said as he looked back down at his computer screen and typed the last couple of sentences for the group email he'd been working on, then sent it.
The sound of the door clicking shut brought his eyes up again once he'd shutdown his computer.
"How has your sister been? You took half the day off to go see her, right?" Drake asked as he set the laptop on top of his desk and stood up.
Warden was already there, wrapping his arms gently around his waist to pull him into a hug. Drake returned it, not using as much strength as he normally would. Without Cerat around, his wolf had calmed down a bit and didn't display nearly as much possessiveness when it came to Warden.
"She's doing really well and also taking good care of that lizard we got from Cerat a while ago. The maids have barely needed to bother it." He said as he tilted his head to steal a soft kiss.
"I'm glad. It was actually pretty fun babysitting her last week, so if you need me again for a few days while you go away for business and the maids need a break, I'm game." Drake said as he tilted his head slightly and pressed his lips to Warden's warm neck. "Just don't go away too often. I already miss that too-quiet leech, so don't leave me alone for too long... I don't want to get in trouble for marking your place again."
They'd moved back into Warden's penthouse and Drake had discontinued his rental since they were currently dating and he practically lived where Warden was for the past several months anyways. It was also going surprisingly well. His wolf was content with their physical activities and once it realized that Warden wasn't going to leave them after a few nights together, Drake's urges had also calmed down some.
"I talked to Flora yesterday. She said that Cerat was doing well at the shop and she makes sure that he takes breaks to drink alone. She said he hasn't had any issues with control, though he's being extra careful about it, just in case." Warden said as he returned Drake's affections with a nuzzle into the crook of his neck.
"And I miss him, too."
Drake felt his wolf grumble at Warden's words but just chuckled.
Hush, you. I know you miss him, too.
"I really appreciate your help with all the work that's piled up, by the way." Warden said as he finally leaned away, making Drake want to pull him right back into his arms.
Damn restraint is hard.
It was his own fault that the work had gotten so far behind, so he couldn't really take much credit for helping.
"I'm glad I could help fix the problems I created. It's the least I can do." He said with a half-smile as he took Warden's hand and tugged him toward the door.
They left at nearly eight P.M., and if he hadn't reminded Warden, twice, that they didn't live at the pet shop anymore, then he would have driven straight there.
When they finally got back to Warden's penthouse, they parked the car in the underground garage and turned it off, but neither of them moved to get out.
"I'm hungry." Drake finally said to break the awkward silence that had built up.
He heard a quiet laugh from Warden and turned his head on the headrest to smirk at him in the darkness.
"You're always hungry, you mutt. Come on, I'll make you dinner." Warden said after a few more moments of silence.
Drake got out and walked around to Warden's side, offering him a hand up after he opened his door.
"I'm not sure what you're trying to do, Drake. We've already slept together almost every night since we started going out..." Warden said with a hint of worry in his voice as he took Drake's proffered hand.
Was I really that bad before?
"I just wanted to hold your hand again." He mumbled, rubbing at the back of his neck with his free one.
Warden stayed quiet as they stepped into the elevator and it began heading up. He looked down in the dim light at their hands, then slowly grasped them with his other one. Bringing them up to his lips, he pressed a light kiss to Drake's knuckles as the doors opened.
"I'll make you some chicken and steak." He said as he stepped off the elevator, gently tugging Drake along with him.
Drake headed for the shower while Warden went to start dinner in the kitchen when they got inside. It was their normal routine now, and mainly because he was still awful at cooking so Warden refused to let him use the stove or oven. It probably had something to do with werewolves being able to eat raw meat just fine, so their patience when messing with ingredients just wasn't up to par.
How ya doing, leech? He thought to Cerat as his lips stretched into a grin beneath the spray of the water. He knew that he couldn't reply because their bond wasn't that strong, but he could feel emotions if Cerat wanted him to.
He waited calmly for a response, washing his body as he did so. When it finally came, he couldn't help but snicker. You're that happy? Did you miss me that much? Drake asked as he turned off the water and grabbed a towel, taking his time drying his body off.
When he felt annoyance and humor through their bond he laughed harder, nearly snorting at the guy's response. Yeah, right. You love me you little blood sucking shit. He replied, getting more humor from Cerat at the same time he realized Warden standing in the doorway to the bathroom.
"Enjoying that conversation with your mutt?" Warden asked with a grin as he nonchalantly looked over Drake's naked body.
Being the last person to get embarrassed about how amazing they looked naked, Drake sauntered over and leaned forward, pressing his lips to Warden's briefly.
"I was communicating with our little leech." He said.
Warden's eyes widened at that realization. Clearly, he'd forgotten that they had their odd little bond still. With a giddy grin he leaned forward, whispering in Drake's ear.
"Hey Cerat, we miss you."
This guy...
Taking a step back, Drake crossed his arms over his chest and rolled his eyes. "I'm not a telephone, War." He said, scowling for only a brief moment before turning his attention inward.
The chicken says hello. He thought to Cerat.
When he got an overwhelming wave of happiness and excitement back, he just about growled.
Prick. Why didn't I get any excitement? Just a little happy? He grumbled, earning humor back in response before Warden poked his shoulder, bringing his mind back into focus.
"Sorry, we can't really talk to each other, but I can sense his emotions and he can understand what I'm saying." Drake said. "I told him that you say hello and he flooded my mind with disgustingly happy feelings."
Grinning, Warden wrapped his arms around Drake's middle, no longer worried about him being naked. They've been aggressively intimate more than enough times to get the hesitation out of his system. And, surprisingly, Drake could control himself fairly well with Warden right in front of him while he was lacking clothing.
"I'm glad. He does seem like he's doing well. I won't bother you with asking you to talk to him for me, but could you just let him know that I'm proud of him and to keep it up."
Drake raised an eyebrow at that message, earning a nudge to his ribs in response.
"Don't turn that into an innuendo and just tell him for me, please." Warden said before stepping out of the bathroom.
"Your dinner is ready, by the way. So cover up, at least a little, and get your butt to the table." He called from around the corner, making Drake lick his lips.
Hey leech, the chicken says he's glad you are doing good and keep your dick up. Drake thought to Cerat quickly as he hurried into their room and got himself a pair of drawstring pajama pants that happened to be Warden's.
The lackluster sense of sarcasm he got from Cerat in return brought a smile to his face as he walked into the little dining area and dropped down into his seat across from his boyfriend.
"Did I mention how much I love you today?" He said, drawing a raised eyebrow from Warden, who was just lifting a piece of lemon braised chicken to his mouth.
"No...?" Warden replied right before Drake grabbed the fork from his hand and ate the piece of chicken on it.
"Damn, you are getting really good at cooking." He said as he twirled the fork around his fingers, earning himself a grumble from his chicken.
"Don't worry, I won't eat you right now. I'm saving my favorite chicken for the bedroom." He purred as he handed Warden his fork back.
"And don't worry, I don't mind talking to our leech for you sometimes."
Warden shook his head, but he couldn't hide his smile as they ate their meal in comfortable silence. He could still feel some faint emotions from Cerat, but it was clear that they weren't directed at him intentionally. Drake didn't really mind them, though. None were bad, so he was actually glad that Cerat was, indeed, doing fine.
(I think Cerat actually wants a chapter, so I'll see if I can get him to talk to me for the next one lol)