Cailan's hand hovered uncertainly near Liam's belt, his fingers trembling slightly. He glanced up, meeting Liam's eyes, silently seeking permission. Liam's gentle nod was all the encouragement he needed.

With fingers that felt suddenly clumsy, Cailan worked at the belt buckle, the soft clink of the belt coming undone seemed impossibly loud in the quiet room. Cailan's breath hitched as he moved on to the buttons of Liam's pants, each one a small victory against his nervousness.

As he worked, Cailan couldn't help but notice the growing evidence of Liam's arousal. The sight sent a thrill through him, a heady mixture of relief and excitement. For so long, a fear had lurked in the depths of Cailan's mind—a fear that somehow, when the moment came, he would fail to stir any interest in Liam. He was pretty, even beautiful, and he knew that, but if Liam preferred a different type of man...

Cailan pushed the thought away, focusing instead on the evidence before him. Liam's body was responding to him, desire evident in the way his breath hitched as Cailan's fingers brushed against him through the fabric. Liam's words hadn't been empty platitudes; his body was confirming what his lips had promised.

Liam helped get his pants the rest of the way off, and his underwear with them, and then there was his cock, standing tall. Living in a military camp in a shared tent meant Cailan had seen plenty of men naked before, but he had never seen another man erect. His cock defied gravity, standing tall and flush-headed, a silent command that could not be ignored.

Cailan dropped to his knees.

Liam’s cock was hot beneath Cailan’s fingers, the softness of the skin contrasting with firmness of the flesh beneath it. As Cailan tightened his grip, Liam released a sharp breath, and Cailan quickly glanced up, fearing he'd done something wrong. Liam's eyes, clouded with hazy desire, assured him otherwise.

As he brought his face closer to Liam’s cock, Cailan inhaled the heady smell of his arousal. He flicked his tongue out, watching Liam’s face as he dragged an experimental line up the underside of his cock. Liam’s breath stuttered, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides.

Emboldened, Cailan wrapped his lips around the head of Liam’s cock, gently exploring the shape with his mouth. He struggled to remember lessons, concepts he hadn’t been old enough to truly grasp when he’d been taught them.

Keep your teeth out of the way. He remembered that much.

Liam was already struggling to keep his breathing slow and even. His fingers combed into Cailan’s hair and stayed there, fingertips pressing against Cailan’s scalp reflecting the tension that strummed through his whole body. Despite Cailan’s fumbling inexperience, the effect this was having on Liam was undeniable.

Cailan could feel his own cock aching with arousal against the confines of his underwear as he ran his tongue over the head of Liam’s cock, discovering the salty taste of liquid that seeped from its tip, but he ignored it. He tried to take Liam deeper into his mouth, and then abruptly pulled back, his eyes watering as he gagged against the feeling of being choked. Any illusion that he knew what he was doing was destroyed in an instant.

“Sorry,” Cailan managed between coughs.

Liam crouched down, his hand gentle on Cailan's back. He let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “You took me by surprise. I was expecting a shy virgin.”

"Would you prefer if I were less... forward?" Cailan asked, worry creeping into his voice.

“What do you think the answer to that question is?”

Cailan dropped his head and took a moment to clear his head, his breathing coming more evenly now. "I think... you want me to be myself."

“Mmhm.”

“I’m not sure what ‘myself’ is.”

“I know, love.”

Cailan's eyes met Liam's, vulnerable yet trusting. "You seemed to enjoy what I was doing, even if I wasn't very skilled. I liked that you liked it, though I'm sure you've had better.”

Liam's expression grew tender. “Just seeing you drop to your knees and reach for my cock was almost too much for my self control. No amount of skill can rival what the way I feel for you does to me.”

"Oh," Cailan breathed.

Liam smiled warmly. “Now, why don’t we get the rest of your clothes off? That bath is almost done running.”

Cailan returned the smile, nodding as they both stood.

Cailan’s eyes went wide as Liam reached for him, then squeezed shut as Liam’s hand pressed down on his cock through his underwear. A tremble went through Cailan’s body as Liam’s hand moved in a single, firm stroke upwards. How could something be too much and not enough at the same time? 

Fingertips brushed the sides of Cailan’s hips and then slid downwards, dragging his underwear with them. For the first time, Cailan stood naked and truly exposed to his master’s hungry eyes.

“You’re beautiful,” Liam murmured before any insecurities had a chance to stir in Cailan’s mind, his hand reaching out and encircling Cailan’s cock. 

Cailan gasped at the first touch, rocking forward and rested his forehead against Liam’s shoulder. He fought the urge to squirm and only halfway succeeded. Did everyone feel like they could barely contain themselves from the barest touch of another, or was Cailan just particularly sensitive because he never touched himself?

The retreat of Liam’s hand almost made Cailan whimper at the loss of contact. As Liam turned Cailan in his arms, the slight brush of his cock against Cailan's backside sent shivers down his spine.

"The bath," Liam murmured, his words a gentle caress against Cailan's neck. "It's a good thing I could see it over your shoulder, because I had completely forgotten about it."

Liam turned the water off, then he climbed into the bath and reached a hand out to help Cailan in as well. The water was pleasantly warm, and when Cailan sank down into it in the middle of the tub, it reached just above his nipples.

Liam sat down on the built-in ledge, leaning back against the smooth porcelain. His eyes fluttered closed as he let out a contented sigh. "I've missed this," he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the water. "The camp's facilities are functional, but they lack... this." He gestured vaguely, droplets cascading from his fingertips. "Do you like baths?"

Did Cailan like baths? There was some deeply ingrained part of him that told him to smile and say that of course he liked them, because Liam did, but this wasn’t the time or place for that kind of insincerity.

"I... don't have much experience with them," Cailan admitted. “I can clean myself with magic, so there was no need. I can't say I had a strong opinion before, but this—" he gestured at the water surrounding them, "—this is quite pleasant."

"You wouldn't have thought to indulge yourself, would you?" Liam leaned forward on the ledge, the water lapping gently at his waist. "That's why I try to spoil you, Cailan. You never prioritise your own desires or needs. You never ask for anything."

"I'm a—" Cailan began, but Liam gently cut him off.

"You're my world," Liam said, reaching out to brush his knuckles along Cailan's jawline. "I want you to be happy. Truly, deeply happy."

Cailan leaned into the touch, a small smile playing at his lips. "Well," he said, his eyes meeting Liam's, "you are my master. So I suppose I must give you what you want."

Cailan's eyes drifted downwards, locking onto Liam's cock, all but the tip of which was submerged beneath the bathwater.

Liam let out a laugh as he followed Cailan’s gaze. “You’re going to drown yourself if you try that.”

Cailan felt himself flushing. Had it been so obvious what he was contemplating? 

“I’m not sure what to do,” Cailan admitted. “I’m full of many kinds of wants. I want to please you, of course. I always do. But my body also… wants.” He let out a self conscious chuckle. “I’m not sure what to do with those feelings.”

“Hm,” Liam said, his expression softening with affection. “Why don’t you come and sit on my lap? I’m sure we can find ways to see to both of those wants at the same time.”

Water droplets clung to Cailan’s skin as he rose from the water, his body on full display to Liam’s hungry eyes. It felt strange to look down at his own erect cock. He had been taught never to touch himself, and though he knew Liam wouldn’t have insisted he follow that rule, he hadn’t broken it. He wasn’t used to seeing himself like this.

Liam’s hand was on Cailan’s cock as soon as it was within reach, guiding him forward to straddle his lap until he could take both of them in hand at once. All thoughts of rules and the proper behaviour and even of pleasing Liam fell away as Cailan clutched at Liam’s shoulders, his face pressed against Liam’s neck.

“How does it feel?” Liam murmured as his hand dragged up and then pulled down, working the two of them together.

Cailan tried to find words, but all that came out was a whimper as his hips arched up into Liam’s grip.

A chuckle tickled Cailan’s throat as Liam’s hand wandered, squeezing the globe of Cailan’s ass. Cailan shuffled his legs further apart, granting Liam’s hand access to wherever it wanted to wander. He belonged to Liam: heart, soul, and now more than ever, body as well.

Such things felt like distant worries now, though. All Cailan could focus on was that hand on him and a scorching need building within him. His hips involuntarily jerked forward, and he mumbled an apology, trying futilely to remain still. Liam’s laugh was fond, and on the next downwards stroke of his hand, he used his grip on Cailan’s ass to encourage the movement.

Cailan let his body take control. He let himself thrust and groan and squirm. When Liam pulled him in to press their lips together, he met him with eager inexperience, their kiss a mess of teeth and tongue. It was too much, not enough, too much, too much…

Cailan’s hips jerked up, and by the time he realised what was happening, it was too late.

Reality crushed back down upon Cailan all at once as he huddled against Liam’s chest. His limbs felt like jelly and he could hardly catch his breath, but he could still feel Liam, hard and with a neediness he could no longer match, pressed against him. Cailan had blindly and thoughtlessly chased his own lust, and now…

Liam stilled, his breathing heavy. He reached down, fingers brushing against Cailan's flushed skin as he felt the sticky wetness against Cailan’s belly.

Cailan's face burned with shame. "I'm sorry," he murmured, avoiding Liam's eyes. “I’ll clean it up.”

Liam gently tilted Cailan's chin up, forcing eye contact. “Why do you sound upset, sweetheart? Did I move too fast?”

“I didn’t mean to…” Cailan nodded his head towards the mess he’d made.

Liam pressed a tender kiss to Cailan's lips, then carefully lifted him. The water sloshed gently as he settled Cailan beside him on the ledge. “You have done nothing wrong, my love. Bodies just… do what they do. You can’t always control these things.”

“We’re supposed to be able to control ourselves,” Cailan murmured.

Liam let out a soft huff. "Just because you were told something, doesn't make it true. You belong to me now, not them. And I'm not the least bit displeased. Do you understand?"

Cailan nodded hesitantly, some of the tension leaving his shoulders.

"Now then," Liam continued gently, "do you feel finished, or do you think you might be ready to continue after resting for a bit? Either is perfectly fine, but I need you to be honest with me."

Cailan’s fingers brushed his cock. It felt uncomfortably sensitive. “I’m not sure. I’ve never…”

“Of course,” Liam said. “Let's get you cleaned up and give you a moment to recover. We'll see how you feel after that."

Cailan bit his lip, anxiety creeping into his voice. “What if I can’t continue? You’re not satisfied yet…”

“There are many ways to achieve my satisfaction. You have hands. I’m sure you can figure out how to put them to use.”

“But… is that enough?”

Liam leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to the top of Cailan’s head. “You’re always enough, sweetheart.”

“Okay,” Cailan said as he helped Liam clean up, though there was no real conviction in his voice. "But I want you to know that if you ever decide this isn't enough, if what I can offer isn't sufficient... I'll understand if you no longer wish to commit yourself to me."

“You’re usually better at listening to me, my love,” Liam chided softly, no real reproach in his tone. "I just told you that you are enough. More than enough. You're everything to me."

“I know, but…” Cailan's teeth worried his bottom lip. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m just coming to realise that there is a charm to youthful inexperience, at least for some, but I am no longer a boy. I’m a man. My inexperience only means that I don’t know how to please you in the ways that I want to.”