OH SHIT!

MAYBE INSTALLING an elevator should be considered.

With a sigh, he adjusted the tray in his hands and knocked gently on the door of the first chamber.

Without waiting for an answer, he pushed the door open, and stepped inside, the warm scent of the room hitting him first. The curtains were now drawn.

Second Master sat on the couch, just finishing a call, He was fully dressed in a button-up shirt and linen pants. He looked up as Tide entered, spotting the tray immediately but saying nothing.

Instead, to Tide’s growing horror, he reached for a book from the TV console, and without hesitation, he turned, aiming perfectly before launching it straight at the bed.

The book smacked hard against Fourth Master's back.

"Wake up, bozo."

A groggy groan followed as Fourth Master jerked upright, one hand flying to his back. His expression twisted in half-asleep pain and confusion before realization hit.

"What the fuck was that for?!" His voice was rough from sleep, irritation dripping from every word.

Tide winced internally. There were safer ways to wake someone up.

Second Master merely shrugged, lounging back on the couch. "You were snoring too loudly. Figured you were choking in your sleep or something."

Fourth Master rubbed his back, still glaring as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, his movements slow and heavy. His hair was a disheveled mess, and the exhaustion was visible in his face.

Then he caught sight of Tide standing there, awkwardly holding the tray.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

He straightened, clearing his throat. "I brought you soup, Master. For the hangover."

Fourth Master blinked. Then exhaled dramatically. "Need that."

Second Master hummed but didn’t comment, as he reached for the remote instead.

Tide carefully set the tray on the bedside table, stepping back just in case Fourth Master had another outburst in him.

He didn't. Instead, he sighed again, running a hand down his face. "Remind me to never drink that much again."

Second Master snorted. "You should hire someone for that”

Tide pressed his lips together, mentally bracing himself for whatever ridiculous conversation was about to unfold.

Fourth Master ran a hand through his already messy hair, pushing it back as he sat up fully. It only made him look more unfairly attractive, the kind of effortless, chaotic handsomeness that made people stop and stare. Sharp jawline, high cheekbones, full lips— the kind of man that looked sculpted just to ruin lives. Even half-asleep and hungover, he had that presence, all of the did.

Tide swallowed, hard.

If he wasn’t a man, he would’ve gladly let all four of them do whatever they wanted to him. However they wanted. No hesitation, no complaints. He wouldn’t even fight back. In fact, he’d let them assault him if they wanted that. But he was a man and he was absolutely sure they'd all set him on fire if he voiced that intrusive thought.

"Bring the soup over," Fourth Master muttered, rubbing his temples.

Tide snapped out of his very inappropriate head and quickly stepped forward, setting the tray down in front of him.

But just as Fourth Master reached for the bowl, he paused.

His blue eyes flicked to him, studying him for a long second before he asked, "Did you make this?"

Tide felt his soul leave his body. "No, Master."

"Then why are you the one bringing it?"

He bit his tongue, scratching the back of his ear.

Second Master stood up from the couch, stretching. "I'll be in the study." Without waiting for a response, he walked out, leaving him alone to face the interrogation.

Tide straightened, choosing his words carefully. "I have to wake Third Master up. That’s why I offered to bring it myself."

Fourth Master leaned back, tilting his head slightly. "Why do you want Ezekiel up?"

"I have some files from the club that need to be sorted out and approved," He explained.

Fourth Master sighed, sniffing the soup once, then grimaced like it was poison. Disgust glaring all over his face. How is something so hot to the nose and not pleasant to the eyes supposed to cure him.

"Uh…yeah, I think I’m good now," he said, setting the bowl right back on the tray without taking a single sip. “It looks like a baby threw up his lunch in chunks“

Tide grimaced. Okay, That sounds gross, and also true, must be because of the poorly chopped ginger. But Tide glared at him nonetheless, feeling offended on Evangeline’s behalf, also on his own behalf. How dare he! All the sweat and blood he put into making that! How dare—

Fourth Master stood up, about to grab his coat when Tide flinched, thinking he heard his thoughts and wanted to smoulder him. Instead Roman took his coat from the bed and slipped it on, and made his way to the door but then paused.

Turning slightly, he looked at Tide, who was already watching him with a half terrified look

"I wonder why you think you’d lie past me." He looked calm, but there was always something unreadable about him. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "The nicer you are, the more people think you're dumb."

Tide swallowed again, unsure what to say to that. Did he hear my thoughts? Oh goodness…please.

"I specifically told the three of you I hate it when people go over my stuff and the castle. Get Evangeline to the study now,” He ordered before walking out, heading down the opposite hallway toward his own chamber.

Tide sighed, finally letting himself relax for a second, he didn't hear his thoughts, oh thank goodness he didn't. Phew!

Oh wait. Oh shit! After a second of realization, he dragged a hand down his face.

Oh shit!

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! He’s cooked, Evangeline is cooked! They're both done for. Shit!!

Uh.. but at least Fourth Master didn't call her ‘the twin lady.’ He knew her name. So… small wins?