For two weeks, Cailan's every waking moment thrummed with quiet anticipation. Though Liam's touch had grown more intimate—his lips brushing Cailan's with feather-light kisses, his hands tracing the curve of Cailan's waist with reverent fingertips—they hadn't progressed further. Cailan might have worried that Liam had forgotten their conversation or changed his mind, but he knew his master too well for such doubts. So he waited, savouring each tender caress like a promise of things to come.

Then, just as the anticipation threatened to overwhelm him, Liam burst into their tent, his eyes alight with barely contained excitement.

"Pack your things," Liam said. "I've got three days leave, and I've rented us a room in town."

Cailan's heart leapt in his chest. He tried to keep his movements steady as he retrieved his travel bag, but his fingers trembled slightly. "A room?" he asked, aiming for casual but unable to keep a hint of eagerness from his voice.

"The nicest the town has to offer," Liam replied, a note of pride in his tone. His smile faltered slightly as he added, "I wanted to take you to dinner, too, but..."

“Was there nowhere suitable?”

Liam's laugh was sharp and humourless. "To take you? Certainly not."

Cailan frowned. He didn’t know how to take that. Why would he be an issue, regardless of the establishment? They had dined out before.

Seeing the bewilderment in Cailan's eyes, Liam's expression softened. He reached out, his calloused fingers gently brushing Cailan's cheek. "Taking you to a place where you would be expected to kneel on the floor to eat would ruin the romance of things a little," he explained. "I want this to be nice for you. For both of us."

"I don't mind kneeling as long as it's by your side.”

"I'll admit I don't hate it either, darling," Liam said, a wry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But it hardly suits the mood of the occasion."

“No, of course. I just didn’t want you to forgo a nice dinner for my sake.”

Liam's hand fell away, and Cailan immediately missed its warmth. "I wanted you to be able to sit at a table and partake in a nice dinner." Liam ran a hand through his hair, disheveling the dark strands. "Nevermind. I'm sure we can order food to the room."

Cailan reached out, his fingers intertwining with Liam's. He offered a smile, small but genuine. "I'm never disappointed to have more time alone with you.”

"Mm. Maybe that's nicer than a dinner out," Liam mused. "Are you done packing?"

Cailan's fingers fumbled slightly as he tucked a final set of clothes into his bag. "I think so," he said, his voice betraying a hint of nervous excitement. He hesitated, then asked, "Should I bring a book?"

"Only if you plan to get bored of me," Liam teased.

Cailan buttoned up his bag. “Then I’m ready.”

Outside, a carriage waited. As they settled next to one another on the cushioned seat, Cailan felt a thrill of excitement course through him. Almost instinctively, his hand sought Liam's, their fingers intertwining in Liam's lap as the carriage lurched into motion.

"Your hand is sweaty," Liam observed, his thumb tracing gentle circles on Cailan's palm.

Heat rushed to Cailan's cheeks, and he ducked his head. "Sorry.”

Liam reached out, gently tucking Cailan's hair behind his ear. "You don't normally sweat," he said. "Are you nervous?"

“I’m… yes, maybe. A little,” Cailan admitted. “I’ve been waiting for this for a very long time.”

Liam gently tilted Cailan's chin up until their eyes met. "I don't want you to be scared," he said softly, his gaze searching Cailan's face.

"I'm not afraid," Cailan assured him, his voice growing stronger. "I promise. I trust you, Liam. I want this."

"Perhaps I'm a little scared," Liam confessed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "I imagine this is how parents feel, though perhaps that's a strange angle to take when the matter we're discussing is sex. But in a broader sense, it's similar. I have absolute responsibility for you and your wellbeing."

“I’m not fragile, Liam. I love that you care for me, but I won’t break or lose my love for you if you make a single mistake.”

A rueful smile tugging at the corners of Liam’s mouth. “Goodness knows I’ve made many before.”

“How could you not? Most of the things you now consider to be mistakes were those you were told were correct. You were only fifteen.”

Liam inclined his head, acknowledging the point. “It was a cruel situation to put us both in when we were still just boys, though I’m glad it happened. Who knows what would have become of either of us otherwise? You could have ended up with a far worse master, and I... I might have become a very different man without you in my life."

“Your heart was full of goodness from the first day we met. You would have been fine.”

“I’m glad fate didn’t let me find out.” He offered Cailan a soft smile. “How could I live without my own heart?”

Cailan ducked his head, a blush creeping up his neck as a smile overtook his face. “Some would say that this romance is wasted on me.”

Liam brushed his thumb across Cailan's cheekbone, his touch feather-light. “I would say it would be a waste to deny it to myself. I don’t feel this way for any other.”

“I’m sorry I doubted you. You’ve given me no reason to.”

"I gave you every reason to," Liam said gently. "If a man swore his devotion to his wife, but he hadn't consummated the marriage yet and took others to his bed, it wouldn't matter how sweet his words were. Nobody would blame her for doubting his sincerity."

“I’m not your wife. The expectations aren’t the same.”

"The expectations are what we make them," Liam replied, his gaze never wavering from Cailan's. "What you give me, Cailan, is more than you can compel someone to give by force or obligation. You cannot make anyone love you. That can only be earned."

“And you have done that.”

Liam lifted Cailan's hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of it. "And tonight, I intend to keep earning it."

The inn that greeted them was a modest affair, but it served its purpose well enough—providing a respite for high-ranking military personnel who deemed themselves above the canvas confines of camp tents. Cailan didn’t mind, of course. All he cared about was the privacy of solid walls and Liam’s undivided attention. 

Their room was snug but clean. Cailan's gaze was immediately drawn to the bed that dominated the space. The sight of it sent a thrill of anticipation through him. This bed would be their sanctuary for the next few days, a place where they could explore and express their love without fear of interruption.

Liam’s arm wrapped around Cailan’s waist from behind and he rested his chin on Cailan’s shoulder. “I’d have taken you somewhere fancier, but I don’t think either of us are keen on delaying this until I’m able to get enough time off to travel.”

Cailan turned within the circle of Liam's arms, pressing himself against the familiar planes of Liam's chest. “No, it’s perfect. It has everything we need.”

“And a few things we don’t. It has running water. A bathtub.” Liam pressed closer so that he could murmur in Cailan’s ear, “Would you like to take a bath together?”

Cailan felt heat rise to his cheeks, but he nodded eagerly. “That sounds wonderful.”

"This way, then," Liam said softly, his fingers intertwining with Cailan's.

As they stepped into the bathroom, Cailan's eyes widened in surprise. The bathtub before them was unlike anything he had seen before. In Liam's childhood home, the bath had been a utilitarian affair, designed for efficiency rather than leisure. Cailan had used it only once, under less than pleasant circumstances, and had since relied on his magic to keep himself clean.

But this... this was different. The tub was expansive, its square shape inviting and luxurious. Smooth, pale stone gleamed in the soft light, and Cailan noticed a built-in ledge that would allow them to sit comfortably, submerged in the water. It was clearly designed for shared bathing.

Liam put the plug in and started the water running. Such a large tub would take several minutes to fill.

"Now, let's get you out of those clothes, shall we?" Liam suggested, a smile playing on his lips even as the slight tension in his shoulders betrayed a hint of nerves. His voice was warm but carried a subtle tremor as he continued, "I must admit, I'm quite looking forward to getting a proper look at you."

Cailan felt a blush creep up his neck, warming his cheeks. "You've seen me naked before.”

“You’ve changed within my view, but I’m a gentleman. I didn’t look.”

“No, I suppose I didn’t take the opportunity to get a proper look at you when I could have, either. I’ve seen you shirtless, but not…” Cailan dug his teeth into his lip and glanced away. “Well, I didn’t look.”

Liam's lips quirked into a half-smile. "Well, I suspect there will be more to look at now, anyway," he said as he reached for the sash of Cailan's robe.

It took Cailan a moment to catch Liam's meaning. When he did, he ducked his head, his face flushing a deeper shade of red. Despite his embarrassment, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. This side of Liam—playful, almost crude—was new to Cailan. It occurred to him that there might be many facets to Liam he had yet to discover.

With gentle, deliberate movements, Liam helped Cailan out of his robe. The soft fabric whispered against Cailan's skin as it fell away, leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable in just his underwear.

Liam made quick work of his own shirt, the buttons coming undone under his practised fingers. Cailan's breath caught in his throat as he took in the sight before him. Liam had changed over the years, his body transforming from the softer lines of youth to the defined musculature of a man.

Almost unconsciously, Cailan reached out, his fingertips ghosting down the centre of Liam's chest. He marvelled at the warmth of Liam's skin, the slight roughness of hair, the steady rise and fall of his breathing. Desire and uncertainty swirled within him. He wasn't quite sure what was expected of him in this moment, but he knew he wanted to touch, to explore.

Years ago, at the tender age of thirteen, he had absorbed lessons on intimacy from dry texts and clinical lectures. The knowledge had been imparted with a cold efficiency, preparing him for a future that was supposed to arrive within months. But time had passed, and those lessons had faded, leaving behind only vague impressions and half-remembered rules.

Was he supposed to be aroused by this point? He was, and he wasn’t sure he could change that, but perhaps it was undignified to be this eager. Was he supposed to initiate touch on his own, or should he let Liam orchestrate their encounter?

The one thing he did remember was that all of the things they were taught were merely a starting point. If their master wanted something counter to what they had been trained to do, his preferences took priority. But… Cailan didn’t know what Liam wanted. He knew him as he knew his own self in many ways, but this was fresh territory.

"You're nervous," Liam observed softly, his thumb hooking under the band of Cailan's underwear. The gentle drag of his finger across Cailan's stomach sent a shiver through him.

Cailan's breath caught in his throat. "A little," he admitted. He could feel the warmth of Liam's hand, so close to where he ached to be touched.

“Are you afraid this will hurt or be unpleasant in some way, or are you worried about your performance?”

“The latter, of course.” Cailan offered him a raw, honest smile, feeling exposed in more ways than just physical. He took a deep breath, centering himself. “I trust you unconditionally, but I don’t know what I’m doing and I feel like I ought to. I am a Companion, after all.”

Liam's hand moved from Cailan's waistband to cup his face, his touch warm and reassuring. He shook his head. “You were thirteen when you were given to me, and that was considered normal. I was expected to take your virginity immediately. No thirteen year old virgin, no matter how thorough his instruction, is a master of sex, and where would you have learnt those skills in the years since? It’s conceptually absurd. Whatever expectations they set for you, I recommend forgetting them.”

Cailan wanted to ask what Liam expected of him, but as he looked into Liam's eyes, full of love and patience, he realised he already knew. All Liam cared about was making this good for Cailan. 

Maybe in the future, when this was no longer a new experience for Cailan, things would be different. But not today. Today was about discovery, about learning each other in a new way. Cailan took another deep breath, letting it out slowly. As he did, he felt some of his anxiety dissipate, replaced by a growing excitement.