5.3

After abandoning his sad salad and deciding to skip lunch, Lucien got home earlier that evening. Not that he'd ever admit it was because he was hungry. No, the reason was totally that work wrapped up early.

"You're back early," Andrew observed, looking up from the cookies he was taking out of the oven. The aroma of freshly baked chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies filled the kitchen.

Lucien tried not to stare.

He was unsuccessful.

"Hn," he grunted in response. Of course this stupid omega had to point that out.

"Work wrapped up early?" Andrew asked curiously.

"Uh huh," Lucien replied curtly. It was HIS house, dammit. He could come back whenever he wanted to.

Silence.

Lucien waited. Waited for the omega to offer him a cookie. Because that was just manners. Your husband comes home while you're baking, and you don't even offer him a cookie?

But he couldn't just… ask for one. He didn't ask for things. He graciously accepted things offered to him. With respect. On a silver platter.

He couldn't take one himself because Andrew hadn't iced them yet, and he really liked the icing.

"…You know, I didn't have lunch today," Lucien snapped when Andrew made no move to continue icing or offer him a cookie.

"You… didn't?" Andrew repeated, a little confused by the seemingly random comment. "Why?"

"I was busy with work, obviously!" he huffed. Not that the salad tasted like crap. Stupid omega. Always asking why. Can't he just take a hint and offer him a cookie???

"I see…" Andrew nodded. He finally noticed Lucien's gaze locked on the cookies. A small smile appeared on his lips.

He offered, "Dinner isn't ready yet, but—would you like some cookies?"

*Finally.*

"…Fine. I'll take some since you already asked," Lucien replied, as if he were doing Andrew a favor. He sat on a barstool near the kitchen counter, waiting. His long, dexterous fingers tapped on the marble top impatiently, as if subconsciously willing the omega to hurry up with the icing.

An expensive watch sat on his wrist, the polished surface glistening under the low kitchen light. Lucien was rather slim for an alpha—more on the lean side than the typically muscular build alphas were known for. Light green veins stood out on his arms as he rolled up his sleeves, shedding his coat on the nearby couch. He was in just a white shirt now, sleeves rolled up to the elbow, the upper two buttons undone.

A maid offered him a glass of water, which he accepted. He drank, his Adam's apple bobbing with each motion. Andrew would be lying if he said his gaze didn't flicker upwards, the tips of his ears tinting red.

He couldn't deny it—Lucien was a rather handsome alpha. Not in a gruff, masculine way—that would've been easier. He was handsome in a scholarly, intelligent way.

Which, unfortunately, was very attractive to Andrew.

"…Here," he said, almost breathless, as he slid a plate of neatly arranged cookies to the taller male.

At Lucien's quiet hum of approval, Andrew's shoulders relaxed slightly. "Would you like anything to drink with it? Tea or lemonade, perhaps?"

"I'll take tea."

Andrew nodded, presenting a cup of tea. Just the way Lucien liked it—Earl Grey, with a hint of honey and lemon.

"Thank you."

Andrew smiled. 'Thank you' from Lucien wasn't politeness—it was a compliment.

"Mhm," he nodded.

Lucien took a bite. The cookies were perfect, as always. Just the right amount of sweetness, with a hint of cinnamon. The peanut butter filling complemented the chocolate without overwhelming it—perfect.

He glanced at Andrew, who was now standing awkwardly, as if unsure what to do.

"Join me," Lucien said smoothly. It was half an order, half a request.

"Eh?" Andrew's eyes widened, surprised. Lucien rarely asked him to join.

Lucien scowled. "I said, join me. You're not going to eat otherwise, are you?" He poured the other a cup of tea too and slid the cookies to the center. "I have to tell you to eat now too. You're already so skinny—you'll vanish if you get any thinner. Stupid omega."

Andrew was frozen in surprise. He glanced down at the teacup slid toward him, then back at Lucien.

"…Alright," he nodded, the small, almost invisible smile not leaving his lips. "I'll… eat."

---

After tea, Lucien went to freshen up. When he returned, he had just gotten out of the shower and changed into casual clothes. Water droplets clung to his slightly damp hair as he entered the kitchen again.

He saw that the omega was cooking again. Did he never rest?

"You're cooking again," Lucien said.

Andrew glanced up, startled to be addressed again. "Y-yes. I have to check up on the dinner. It's beef stew—it has to be stirred constantly. Your favorite."

Lucien scowled. "You don't have to go to so much trouble."

Andrew blinked. "It's no trouble."

"It's unnecessary."

A pause. Then—

Andrew tilted his head. "Do you… not want it?"

No, I want it. I want it so badly it's embarrassing.

Lucien exhaled sharply. "I didn't say that."

Andrew nodded, turning back to the stove. "Then I'll keep making it."

Silence.

Lucien gritted his teeth.

Just ask me if I want lunch tomorrow. Just once. I'll say yes.

But Andrew didn't.

Because Andrew never did.

---

Later, after dinner, in the quiet of his study, Lucien stared blankly at his paperwork. The stew was delicious. As always.

This was stupid.

Andrew was stupid.

Lucien was an alpha. He shouldn't be sulking over something as trivial as a lunchbox. He should definitely not be distracted by something as mundane and ordinary as… food.

But the thought wouldn't leave him.

Why doesn't he just ask?

He knew why.

Because he had been the one to refuse in the first place. Because Andrew, ever respectful, had taken him at his word.

And now Lucien was trapped in his own pride.

With a growl, he slammed his pen down.

This was Andrew's fault.

Stupid omega