I Would Rather Be a Rogue [BL]
Chapter 42: Tea Time

Chapter 42: Tea Time

The afternoon was pretty warm for early March in Silverfall, the setting sun dying the clouds pink as it slowly disappeared behind the buildings. The soft, cool breeze ruffled Felix’s hair as he stepped out of the restaurant, bringing refreshment after a long, busy shift in the kitchen.

"It looks like it’s going to rain, I should give you a ride!" a cheerful voice greeted him, disturbing his peace before he could even take a deep breath. Kade was standing not far from the entrance, leaning against his car, his lips stretched in a wide grin.

What a ’surprise’.

Felix looked at the Alpha’s face, then back at the sky. A few fluffy clouds were traveling lazily through the vast expanse of the colorful sky.

...In what way did it look as if it was going to rain?

But, since he needed to talk to Kade anyway, Felix just went along with it, and got into the car, taking the passenger seat.

"Should we go have dinner now?" Kade suggested, as he got in as well and started the car. "I haven’t made a reservation today, but we could still-"

"I’m good, thanks," Felix cut him off. "I had a late lunch today, so I’m not hungry yet."

"Then maybe we could..."

"Thanks but no thanks! I’m a bit tired, I would like to go home!"

Actually, Felix wasn’t tired at all. He was feeling much better the past few days, his dizzy spells all gone. However, the conversation he wanted to have with Kade was even more serious than last time, even more... dangerous. He simply didn’t feel comfortable having that discussion in the car, alone with Kade, when the Alpha was driving. He would feel much more at ease doing it on his own turf.

"Eh? But we hardly get to spend any time together..." Kade whined.

But he still took Felix straight home, as requested. Not because he was so nice, but simply because he knew that pushing the Omega too far would only backfire.

The most he could (safely) do was to ask as he pulled over, "I hope that you’re at least going to invite me in?"

"Hmm. Wait a moment." Felix got out of the car, and darted toward his front door, quickly unlocking it and shutting them right as he got in. Then, he looked around the house, and called softly, "Remi?"

The blanket on the bed stirred, and Remi poked out his red head, giving Felix a confused glance.

Felix sighed with relief. "Don’t go anywhere, okay? We’re going to have an annoying guest now?"

Remi scoffed with disapproval and buried his head back under the blanket, but showed no intention of leaving.

Now that Felix confirmed the fox was at home, he opened the front door again to let Kade in. Although he had no idea how far Remi would be willing to go to help him... It was still reassuring, knowing that he wouldn’t be alone with the Alpha.

"Would you like some tea?" he offered, as Kade stepped inside and took off his shoes.

"Huh?" Taken aback by the unexpected offer, Kade couldn’t help but pause. For Felix to be willing to give anything to Kade... Was he dreaming? Or was the world going to end?

Either way, he couldn’t let such an opportunity go to waste! "Yes, please! Thank you very much!" he grinned widely, making himself comfortable... Well, as much as anyone could be ’comfortable’ on those old, wobbly chairs. "I would always be glad to receive a cup of tea made with love from you!"

Felix’s whole face twisted with disgust. "If you don’t want it, you don’t need to force yourself!" he snapped. But, he still put two cups on the counter. Only one tea bag though - he didn’t know Kade’s preferences, but he himself didn’t want to drink strong tea now that he was pregnant, since it might not be the best for his pup. He brewed the teas, and brought the cups to the table, taking a seat opposite Kade.

"So," he started, getting straight to the point. "How is your search for mermaid going? Any clues?"

"Ah, well." Kade tapped his fingers on the cup, hesitating for a moment, before admitting, "To be honest, not good. All the clues I found so far seem to be leading nowhere..."

Felix barely managed to suppress his smile by taking a sip of the boiling hot tea, and burning his tongue a bit in the process. "Oh? Then what about your original source of information?" he asked in a casual tone. "Can’t they give you any more useful clues?"

"...Not really. It’s a rumor from almost ten years ago. There was a vague description of how the mermaid was supposed to look... But I haven’t seen any woman around that matched it."

Of course he wouldn’t. The mermaid wasn’t stupid, she knew she needed to disguise herself. But ten years? It seems Brielle was older than she looked.

Regardless, it was good news for Felix. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, as he leaned over the table, resting his chin on his intertwined hands, his golden eyes fully focused on Kade, scrutinizing every change in his expression. "That’s not good... You need the remedy for someone sick, right? They probably can’t afford to wait..."

Suspicion flashed through Kade’s face, and his dark eyes narrowed. "The situation is not that urgent. Thanks to the attention of our trusted doctors and herbalists, their condition is currently more or less stabilized," he said calmly, but with a hint of suppressed wariness in his voice, which made Felix think the truth was worse than he made it sound. "Naturally, it would still be nice for them to get the cure as soon as possible, simply to ease their discomfort."

"Mhm, is that so?" Felix nodded his head, forcing the corners of his lips to remain low, as he put on a serious expression. He remained silent for a moment longer, letting the tension in the air grow, before he finally dropped the bomb.

"Let’s make a deal then. I will bring you the mermaid blood, and in return, you will leave me alone."