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Ryneth flinched when Daven’s toes teased his growing erection. A groan slipped from his mouth, and he grumbled when that made Daven’s lips curl up.

“Why the flower?”

Ryneth thought of the pale, star-shaped flowers with their faint golden dust he’d seen in the Academy courtyard. The petals were thin and translucent. When he passed them and glanced over his shoulder, they caught the light.

Daven’s foot pressed against his crotch. “Why?”

“Tavi,” Ryneth admitted. “He loves flowers. They’re rare on Düren. Why did you think I was sad?”

This time, both Daven’s eyes slid open. “I felt you. Your soul was seeking mine.”

Ryneth wanted to scoff, but his throat suddenly felt too dry.

“The flower is called a Solvine Bloom. It’s our national flower. Why don’t we send one to Tavi?”

“What do you mean, send it to him?” Ryneth eyed him with a frown.

Daven shrugged. His toes teased Ryneth’s balls, stirring desire. “Like I said. We could ship it to Düren.”

“You have any idea how much that costs?”

“No. Do you?”

“I—you…” Ryneth scoffed, tightening his lips. “Stop joking about things like that.”

“I’m not joking.” Like a striking cat, Daven lunged forward, causing another flood of water to slosh over the edge of the bath. His lips found Ryneth’s, his breath warm on his skin. “Would that make you less sad?”

Ryneth turned his head, but one of Daven’s strong hands cupped his face, angling him right where he wanted. Their mouths brushed together in a soft kiss.

“Would it?” Daven asked again.

Ryneth found himself nodding.

“Deal. After all, I’d do anything for the one bound to me.”

The one bound to him.

Ryneth couldn’t help but shiver at the words. He blinked, realizing too late that it triggered another fresh wave of tears.

“Oh, baby⁠—”

“Fuck off,” he sobbed, crashing their mouths together. His hand curled around Daven’s nape, and he pulled him closer, the thrum underneath his skin becoming louder, as if purring in contentment.

He needed more. More closeness. More touch. More.

Then he yanked Daven back with a snarl. “You can’t mean this.”

Daven stilled. “Why not?”

“Because people like you don’t stay with people like me. And I swear, if you⁠—”

“Shut up, Ryneth, and kiss me.” Daven pushed their lips back together, crowding him against the far side of the tub as their cocks slid together under the water.

Ryneth burned. His lips parted of their own accord, and his tongue found Daven’s, needing him to kiss him until his thoughts were erased.

Take it all, he wanted to say. Take it all until there’s nothing left.

Desperate, Ryneth clung to him, rutting against Daven as the pressure inside him built.