(BL) The Villain wants a Divorce!-Chapter 497: A demon’s guilt

Lucian was in bad shape. The guilt that stabbed Cass in the gut as he stared down at the man, Edgar and Gideon fussing over him, clearly knowing what to do, made Cass feel even more useless.

Sure, he’d dealt with his own injuries before, but what he fuck was he supposed to do when someone had been not injured by another human, but by a giant fucking monster who looked like a fucked up lobster? Especially when, as Cass looked closer, the bruises on him didn’t actually fully look like bruises and looked worse?

The man was supposed to be unable to be burnt, so what the fuck was that?

Lucian’s groan had Cass flinching, Edgar on his knees at Lucian’s side while Gideon was going through the blue bag trying to find the medical supplies.

Cass knew he was panicking. He was pretty sure anyone could tell that he was. However, the two men who were attempting to help Lucian while Cass panicked didn’t seem to care or notice. Cass was a bit glad for it. He would only be a liability if he tried to help.

He was a demon, after all. Different from Edgar because Edgar was changed through a pact with the gods or some shit, while Cass was created through a fucked up contract.

Cass found himself stepping back further, his breathing about as ragged as Lucian’s was.

"Don’t worry about me and cast the healing magic. I’ll go hide in the bathroom nook I made." Cass’ voice was barely above a whisper but Edgar’s gaze darted to him. His expression was severe as he glanced over at Cass.

"Are you sure? Gideon has little to no control over his abilities so far. He casts a broad net, Cass. This space is probably too small." So that was why Edgar always looked troubled and so did Gideon. Even at this moment, they were thinking about him and his safety.

Granted, that was probably fair, but Cass didn’t think so. His gaze was fixed on Lucian and how the man was doing everything to not make it obvious that he was in pain.

"This’ll heal in no time." He joked, wheezing, and Cass scowled. He spun on his heel.

"I’ll make it deeper. Do it." Cass spat, his emotions making his voice harsh. He was barely to the little nook that he’d made before he felt that uncomfortable pull that he had gotten used to when around Ava.

It was a testament to Gideon that he had felt nothing from him all this time, but that also meant that he was an all or nothing kind of man. Cass felt a small bead of sweat form as his skin began to crawl and Cass raised his hands.

He began to push out the nook, moving as he continued to feel the pulse of holy magic against his skin. Cass walked slowly down the hallway he was making until he didn’t feel like someone was walking over his grave. There, he stopped, cast some light magic, and sat down.

He had a feeling that Edgar was going to have to walk Gideon through the healing magic process and how to use it, and that was okay.

Cass could wait.

He was good at waiting.

It was a skill he hadn’t been able to show off well yet.

~

Cass sat in the dirt hovel that he’d made himself. A rather impressive feat, but he was feeling anything but that. He felt useless, weak, and helpless. He knew that wasn’t fully his fault. It wasn’t anything he had done to be unable to support Lucian, Gideon and Edgar as they were around holy power.

In fact, Cass had probably actually done really well given how much holy power that Gideon was using. He was an all or nothing kind of guy, so Cass might be able to be around him when he mastered his powers.

In like, ten years or so, but Cass could hope! There was hope here.

Cass tried to smile, tried to be optimistic while worry ate him alive. It had really shaken him to see Lucian, strong, powerful Lucian, injured. There was a reason that Cass had wanted him to stay longer, and had wanted his help for the dungeon.

However, it wasn’t so that he would get hurt instead. It was actually to make sure that no one got hurt, but the dungeon apparently didn’t get the damn memo. It had sent a fucking final Boss from Lucian’s past as the first mini Boss that they had encountered. That was fucking insane. That was cruel. That was-

Similar to what they had done to Cass in the last dungeon.

Cass felt his blood run cold as he thought of that, as he realised that. A cold settled over him as he considered that maybe the dungeon this time was going to mirror parts of Lucian’s life. He had lived a long life. There would be plenty to choose from, but since the dungeon was water themed...

Cass wondered what the hell they would show them? Who horrors would Lucian have to encounter? Would Cass have to send him off alone again to face it? Cass’ stomach was in knots when he heard footsteps approaching.

Immediately on edge, Cass got to his feet quickly, worriedly, but it was just Edgar. He looked a little exhausted, but relieved.

"Gideon’s inexperience is a blessing in disguise. Lucian’s treatment was handled quickly and he’s just resting. We called your name several times, but then I figured maybe you had dug too far to be able to hear us." Edgar’s smile held no judgement, no criticism. Cass swallowed.

"He’s okay?" Cass repeated and Edgar nodded. He held out a hand to Cass.

"Yeah, he’s fine. He did say that he wanted to wake up with you in his arms, but I could tell he was joking. I’m just making some food now. Gideon is wiped, and since we’re in a safe haven, I was just going to cook and let those two sleep for a bit. Keep me company?" Edgar asked and Cass swallowed.

He nodded, hesitantly taking Edgar’s hand in his own and Edgar’s smile grew. He took Cass’ hand, tucking it into the crook of his arm, almost like he was escorting Cass back to the camp.

They didn’t talk on the way back, Edgar seeming to sense that Cass wasn’t exactly in the mood. That didn’t mean that Edgar left Cass alone. In fact, he put Cass to work.

He made Cass magic up some benches for everyone to sit on, a fireplace, a fire and a spout so that they didn’t die from the smoke from the fire. It was nice to feel useful, and the silence wasn’t uncomfortable.

Cass kept checking in on the two exhausted other members of the hero party, worry filling him as he watched them breathe quietly.

It was eerie for Lucian to not be loud, brash, and almost annoying. He had seen him sleeping before, but this felt different. Edgar said nothing about the fact that Cass kept checking on them, instead making sure that Cass had another task, and then another.

Until the little spot that Cass had made with magic and dirt felt more like a hotel than a hovel.

Edgar kept himself busy making dinner. He took his time, using fresh ingredients that Sam had given him and stored in his own little time pouch to cook with. He even had a knife and Cass watched as Edgar cooked with ease.

Even in Cass’ previous life, he was a shit cook. He would have rather stolen cheap, easy to make food then cook for themselves. His sister was the better cook, and he could make a few simple dishes in a pinch, but his talent lied more with a needle and his fists than anything else.

"I didn’t know you had such a skill." Cass whispered, not wanting to wake the others even by accident. Edgar glanced over at Cass who had finally sat down around one of the benches he’d made, and Edgar smiled. He was frying something up over the fire, but Cass had no idea what it was.

This world wasn’t a one to one when it came to food, so he had no idea what he was cooking up. Some things were similar, and he did have most of Cassian’s memories to use, but he was a noble. He didn’t know what the fuck the names of fruits and veggies he couldn’t normally eat were called.

"Well, I tended to let Avie show off her skills, so I didn’t cook that much. Plus, Fiona seemed to have it in her mind that she had to tend to us like that. I have no idea why. I was raised as the spare, so I made sure that I had many skills, just in case." Edgar said. He then sighed, before smiling at Cass. "I’m glad for it now. It means that I can be the one that you all rely on right now." He made it sound like he wasn’t someone that they relied on otherwise, and Cass blinked.

"You’re very helpful, Edgar. Don’t sell yourself short. Just because Lucian’s a dragon and I’m an abomination doesn’t mean that you aren’t good enough to be here." Cass told him. Edgar looked more upset about what Cass had called him.

"You are not an abomination." Edgar hissed, sounding pissed and worried all at once. Cass shrugged. Agree to disagree, he wasn’t looking for a fight right now.

"Either way, it’s only because I am recharging so quickly that we’re able to do something like what we did. Otherwise, it would be the two of us struggling to figure something out. You aren’t a spare, and I’m very appreciative of your help right now. Your presence is very calming, and I appreciate you helping me calm down from my panic." Cass thanked him and watched as Edgar blushed.

"I wasn’t really doing it intentionally. I was just thinking about what I would want to do if I couldn’t help." He muttered and Cass smiled. Yeah. That was the whole point. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"That’s exactly it. Thank you for that." Cass repeated his thanks and watched as Edgar grew a little flushed and flustered at the praise. Cass smiled softly, his gaze drifting from Edgar towards the tent and the still forms inside. He watched them breathe, their chests rising and falling and he sighed.

What an eventful first night in the dungeon.