Chapter 36: If They weren’t Brothers, I’d almost ship them
Lucien sighed and rolled his eyes as he made his way back to his bed. Midway, he noticed Ash’s mother and his father, their faces etched with worry. Adrian, sensing their presence, gently released Ash from his arms and stood up quickly.
Ash’s mother looked at her son, still sleeping soundly, her eyes softening with emotion. She reached out and touched his hand, murmuring, "My poor child..."
Turning to Adrian, she added softly, "Thank you, Adrian, for saving my son."
Adrian nodded. "Don’t worry. He’s okay now. The doctor said he just fainted from exhaustion. For now, he just needs some rest."
At that moment, Celeste entered, greeting Ash’s mother and Adrian’s father respectfully.
The doctor followed shortly after. "Alpha Lucien and Ash Veilyn are discharged," he announced. "They can go home. They just need proper rest."
Ash was still asleep, so Adrian decided not to wake him. He carefully carried Ash, wrapped securely in his arms, followed by Ash’s mother and his father. Behind them, Celeste walked beside Lucien, teasing lightly, "Luckily Adrian saved your ass on time. By now, you could have been badly hurt."
Lucien remained silent, only giving a tight-lipped look.
Outside, the hospital entrance was crowded with journalists and paparazzi. As Adrian, Ash’s mother, and his father emerged, the reporters tried to approach them, but the bodyguards quickly formed a protective barrier. One reporter shouted, "Alpha Leclair, citizens are curious-how is Beta Ash related to your family?"
The group stepped into their cars, and the vehicles started moving, the crowd held at bay by the security.
At the rear of the car, where Lucien and Celeste were seated, she glanced at him and said, "Who’s going to take care of you in your place? Why can’t we just head home? There are plenty of servants there who can help."
"I don’t want to," Lucien replied softly, remaining silent afterward.
Celeste continued, "You need a servant to help you. The doctor said you need a proper rest..."
She reached into her pouch, took out her phone, and dialed. Holding it to her ear, she heard a click before a voice answered.
"Secretary Sam speaking from Evercrest Services, how can I help you?"
"I need a servant-emergency," Celeste replied.
"If I may ask, whom am I speaking to?" the voice asked politely.
"Celeste Johnson," she said.
There was a brief pause, the voice trembling slightly with surprise. "It is a great honor for you to call our company, Madam. We will send someone right away."
"Okay," Celeste replied. "I’ll send you the address where he is supposed to go." She ended the call with a click.
.
When Adrian, his father, and Ash’s mother arrived home, Ash had already woke up. Adrian helped him out of the car and guided him carefully inside.
In his room, Adrian settled Ash onto the bed while his mother stayed close by. Ash touched his stomach as it growled, and his mother smiled softly. "You’re hungry, son. Let me bring you some food," she said, before heading downstairs to the kitchen.
Ash looked at Adrian with puppy eyes. Adrian chuckled, reaching out to gently touch his temple. "You’ll be fine," he said gently.
A short while later, Ash’s mother returned, carrying a tray with warm chicken soup, soft bread, and a glass of fresh juice. She unfolded the small food stand in front of Ash, then carefully placed the tray on top. "Here, I made something light for you. Sit up."
Ash sat up slowly, and she adjusted the tray for him. Just then, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and said, "I need to take this call." Leaving the tray within Ash’s reach, she stepped out of the room.
Ash glanced at the tray, then at Adrian, his eyes soft and pleading. Adrian chuckled and shook his head. "Alright, I’ll help you."
He picked up the spoon, scooping some warm chicken soup, and blew gently before holding it up. "Open up," he teased.
Ash leaned forward, sipping it carefully, then smiled faintly. "It’s good..."
Adrian’s lips curved into a small smile. "Of course. Have a little bread too." He tore a piece from the soft roll, holding it out. Ash took it slowly, chewing as Adrian waited patiently.
"Careful," Adrian said lightly, brushing a crumb from Ash’s lip before offering the juice. "Here, drink a little."
Ash drank from the glass, Adrian holding it steady for him. When he pulled back, Adrian set it on the tray. "See? You’re already doing better."
Ash lowered his gaze, but the small smile stayed on his face as Adrian reached for another spoonful of soup. After a while, Ash leaned back, full and satisfied.
Adrian picked up a serviette and leaned closer, carefully wiping the corner of Ash’s lips. His hand slowed, pausing when their eyes met.
The room grew quiet, the air charged as if time itself had stopped. Adrian felt his heartbeat rise, his Alpha instincts stirring restlessly. Realizing it, he pulled abruptly, placing the tray aside.
He drew the blanket up to cover Ash properly. "You need to rest," he said softly, almost forcing the words out. "I’m leaving now."
As he turned, Ash reached out and caught his hand, his voice trembling with need. "Stay...just a little longer."
Adrian froze, the warmth of Ash’s grip holding him still, emotions tightening in his chest as he struggled against the pull he felt.
After ending the call, Ash’s mother glanced at the time and gasped. "I’ve been on the phone for almost an hour! Ash must be waiting for me," she murmured, hurrying back upstairs.
When she reached Ash’s room and pushed the door open, she froze.
Ash was lying on Adrian’s chest, Adrian’s arms wrapped protectively around him. Both were fast asleep, their breathing calm and steady. Her eyes shifted to the tray on the side table; empty plates neatly stacked. She exhaled softly, a smile forming. He’s already eaten.
Her gaze returned to the two, resting so peacefully together. They look so cute...if they weren’t brothers, I’d almost ship them.
But then another thought struck, dimming her smile. Even if they weren’t brothers. Leclair would never allow his son. He’s homophobic.
Quietly, she stepped inside, careful not to make a sound. She picked up the tray, then slipped back out, closing the door gently behind her.
Ash’s mother, a big fan of boy’s love series, kept her tablet full of them. Every story was saved neatly in hidden folders. She watched in secret, always careful to keep the device out of Leclair’s sight.
She knew he would never approve of her watching-he would never understand.
...
Lucien lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts drifting. Has Ash woken up? Has he eaten? How is he? I wish I could be near him to take care of him...
{Lucien is worried-and he can’t even take care of himself right now.}
The sound of the doorbell broke his thoughts. He figured it must be the servant Celeste had arranged.
Slowly, Lucien pushed himself up and walked toward the door. His steps were unsteady, his body still weak, his pheromones not yet balanced. Reaching the entrance, he pressed the button to unlock and open the door.
As the door opened, Lucien froze at the sight of the figure standing before him.
"Aster! What are you doing here?"
...
Aster’s house had been standing for some time, yet the kitchen slot remained unfinished. He hadn’t touched it-until the day he met Lucien at the Lighthouse project. That meeting left his heart unsettled, almost certain he had found his mate.
With that hope, he decided to finish the kitchen slot at last.
But his plans soon hit a wall. Since the big fish had taken over the Moonveil village market, he had lost his source of income from selling turnips. Money stopped coming in, and he could no longer push forward. Asking his sister-Ash’s mother-was out of the question. To Aster, her money was meant only for their mother. He believed a man must work with his own hands, no matter how hard it became.
So he applied for any job at Evercrest Services, willing to take whatever came his way if it meant completing the house.
Three hours earlier, he had received the call: he got the job and was needed immediately.
Little did he know...
...
Lucien’s brows drew together. "Aster...what are you doing here?" he asked again, his voice low.
Aster froze, his chest tightening. For a heartbeat, he wanted to escape, to turn away, to pretend he had come to the wrong door. He could reject the job right then and walk back in the shadows.
But his heart refused. The pull was too strong. He couldn’t run-not from this, not from Lucien.
He managed a faint smile, though his pulse was racing. "As your servant," he murmured.
Lucien’s face shifted, confusion shadowing his features.
Aster held out his phone, the screen glowing between them.
On it was a message from Evercrest Services:
"Report immediately to the following address.
Assignment: Domestic service."
Crescent Lane, Block 14, Unit 9
Lucien’s eyes lingered on the screen, his expression tightening when he recognized the address as his own. "You? A servant? Aren’t you a farmer?"