"It's a very supportive shower," Rowan confirms, perfectly deadpan. "Very wholesome."
"Bullshit. Five minutes, or I'm giving the plates I made for you and Micah to Sean." The door slams shut again.
Regina is still laughing, bracing herself against the shower wall. "Does he always do that?"
"Only when he thinks we're having fun without him," I admit, turning off the water and reaching for a towel. "He's got serious FOMO when it comes to you, apparently. We should probably head down before he actually eats our breakfast."
"He wouldn't."
"Not yours, butours? Absolutely," Rowan says with a snort. "I've seen him eat an entire pot roast out of spite."
"That's… actually concerning, but impressive."
"Welcome to Lupe Tau," I say flatly.
We help Regina dry off, which involves more touching than strictly necessary but stays within the bounds of our promises.She's still smiling. It's a real smile, too, not the careful diplomatic ones she uses when she's uncomfortable.
Clean clothes have mysteriously appeared outside the bathroom door. Sean's doing, probably. We dress quickly and head downstairs, following the scent of bacon and coffee that wafts through the house.
The kitchen is a controlled disaster zone. Sean mans the stove with aggressive enthusiasm while Killian glowers at the smoking toaster. The table is already set with plates and silverware, and there's a frankly obscene amount of food spread across every available surface.
"You made enough to feed an army," Regina observes, taking in the mountains of pancakes, bacon, eggs, and toast.
"We have four alpha shifters," Sean points out. "That basically is an army."
"Fair point."
We settle around the table, Regina sandwiched between me and Rowan with Killian at the head and Sean across from us. It already feels like we've been doing this for years instead of days.
"How was the supportive shower?" Sean asks innocently, loading Regina's plate first before piling his own high enough to choke a horse.
"Very supportive," Regina replies, matching his tone. "And completely innocent."
"Uh huh." He doesn't look convinced. "And that's why you were in there for thirty minutes?"
"Good massages take time," Rowan says.
"I bet they do."
Killian cuts off the banter by shoving a glass of orange juice toward Regina. "Eat. You need to refuel."
She rolls her eyes but accepts the food. "Yes,alpha."
The sarcasm in her voice makes Sean snicker, but Killian just looks pleased. He really does have a praise kink, even when the praise is wrapped in mockery.
Regina takes a sip of the orange juice before I can warn her and spews it out the next second. "What the hell isinthat?"
Killian stares innocently. "It's an orange bomb."
Regina stares warily at him. "I'm probably going to regret this, butwhaton Gaia's green earth is an 'orange bomb'?"
"The usual," Killian says with a shrug. "Oranges, sugar, protein powder, a little cinnamon for?—"
"Wait, protein powder?" she echoes in disbelief.
"Yeah, gotta make sure our mate meets her macros," Killian says, blinking. "Can't have you passing out on us again."
Regina groans, burying her face in her hands. "Just when I was starting to think you're the only one who'snota himbo."
