Tristan didn't speak first and instead allowed Ash to set the tone of the conversation. They sat there with the quiet falling between them for only a moment before Ash chose his topic of conversation.

"I didn't know this bath was here," he started. The omega felt awkward trying to make small talk. He was reminded, once again, how awful his communication skills must be.

"It is my little gem. I bathe here to relax," Tristan said. Ash picked up the hint, or what he thought was a hint, and turned to look at the alpha with a flustered movement of his hands.

"I'm not interrupting your peace and quiet, am I?" he asked in a clearly fretful display. But Tristan made a soft 'shh'ing sound as he scooted closer to Ash but still kept enough distance between them.

"No, Ash. You're a welcome guest to my peace and quiet." His tone was completely honest, soothing in the right way, and helped to ease the concern coming from the omega. His hands lowered to his lap where he fidgeted lightly. Ash accepted the honest answer with the barest hint of a smile on his lips. His eyes were downcast to his own hands before looking around the room a bit. He couldn't bring himself to make eye contact with Tristan though. The alpha felt far too comfortable to be around right now. That thought made Ash worried for reasons he couldn't put into words.

"I offer this bath to you for use whenever you desire. I know this must be incredibly hard for you. I promise I'll do everything in my power to make you comfortable here." 

Ash felt terribly selfish now. He was worried about himself and this marriage the whole time that he hadn't considered what Tristan may want. The alpha told him of a curse he needed to break for him. But the entire time he's known the alpha, Tristan has been nothing but patient and kind. The fact that Beau had mentioned murdering Tristan didn't sit right with Ash and he lowered his gaze with a sort of hiccup.

"Is everything okay?" Tristan asked.

"Why are you so kind? I mean, you weren't the first day when we met. But now, you say you'd do anything to make me comfortable, and yet… And yet! There you go saying things that confuse my thoughts."

It was an honest statement, shocking Ash to have made it. His face felt hot as he wrung his fingers out under the warm water. When there was silence between them again, Ash chanced a glance up. Tristan looked good. His long hair was wet and clung to his shoulders as it cascaded down over his back and one shoulder. His emerald eyes were looking off to the side, as though he were formulating the perfect response. The alpha was fit and attractive under the light that filtered into the room through the glass windows. Ash felt embarrassment flash through his thoughts for dare thinking of the alpha in such a way.

"I apologize if I confuse you. Our first meeting wasn't how I had planned for things to go. I had every intention of being more gentle with your situation than Gregory dealt. I sincerely hope I can make it up to you, Ash."

His words were perfect but Tristan was still looking away. Maybe it was the intensity of the moment, but Ash scooted a little closer as he chewed on his bottom lip. This could be a ploy. This could be some scheme to get Ash to trust him. But he knew better. It was his gut that told him Tristan wasn't that kind of person. It was echoing in his head that Tristan was a good man, and he was going to listen.

Ash was close enough now that he timidly reached out under the water to place his hand atop Tristan's. The alpha turned to look at Ash with a mildly shocked expression. His deep emerald eyes flashed for a moment and Ash tried to soothe the alpha with his own blue ones.

"You're a good man, Tristan."

Tristan looked at Ash as though he were the only tether to the world right now. Ash wasn't sure why he was given such an intense look, but he shivered under it. It was at that moment that Tristan nodded before finally breathing in. Had he been holding his breath the entire time?

"I don't mean to be rude, but your scent is strong right now, Ash. I can smell your pheromones and I don't want to act in an improper manner with you. Not while you may be confused." 

Ash was confused though. He had never been able to smell alphas or other omegas before. But he could smell Tristan's warm cinnamon scent. And for some reason, his own pheromones were being projected out. Tristan looked as though he were restraining himself from attacking him. Ash shivered again and tentatively pulled his hand back. What he said next made him wonder what was going through his mind.

"Would it be so bad?" 

Tristan looked at Ash with shock… It was hard to understand what he may be thinking right now. Ash was feeling self-conscious as the moment grew larger and larger. However, he didn't move away, even if his lips pulled tight into a forced smile. His head tilted down toward the water as a different wave of that cinnamon hit him. Ash had to use every fiber of his being not to moan. The scent that Tristan sent him made his belly grow warm. There was an unconscious itch to touch the alpha and a deep throb at his back end. Ash wasn't due for his heat until shortly after the wedding. So what was this feeling?

"I can't do as you wish, Ash. I will not dishonor you before we are wed. However, if you wish it too, may I kiss you?" Tristan asked in a whisper. His hand lifted from the warm water to gently glide wet fingers over Ash's chin, eliciting a soft gasp from Ash. His touch was warm from the water and ever so soft that it should be shocking that an alpha could have such a gentle touch. But it was fitting Tristan would be tender with him.

"Yes." Ash didn't hesitate to reply. He was feeling the moment, something he'd never done before. He wanted Tristan in ways he'd never wanted anyone before. During his prior heats, Ash needed someone to quell the ache he had deep inside. But even then there had never been someone in his mind he wanted to fix that ache. 

Tristan caressed the side of Ash's face before capturing his chin and leaning in to taste his lips. Ash had never been kissed before now. He didn't know what to expect at all. And he was pleasantly surprised by the act.

Ash felt his breath stutter as their lips met. It was chaste and sweet. A pressing of lips together, but when he closed his eyes, Ash felt something. It was a hard feeling in his heart that was hammering wildly in his chest. His hand came up and into Tristan's wet hair as he turned to face the alpha. When he felt a tongue brush against his lips, he gasped, giving the alpha a moment to enter his mouth. Even the motion of Tristan's tongue in his mouth, rubbing together, was him asking for permission first. Ash moaned out this time and just as his other hand started to move to Tristan's waist, he was released from the kiss.

His brows furrowed due to the kiss ending. But Ash could understand the reasons for not going further. It was societal pressure to remain as they were until marriage. Heck, even just kissing was further than they should have gone. At the same time, Ash didn't care about society's rules. 

"...Are you alright? You look flushed."

"I think a kiss can do that to a person," Ash chuckled and felt himself relax for the first time today.

"Maybe we should get out of the bath. I think the heat is getting to you, Ash." Tristan's voice was laced with concern. Looking up at Tristan though, Ash didn't want to admit that he felt a little lightheaded. The steam from the water was definitely getting to him; although he would throw out the notion that it could also be in part to that kiss.

Ash stood slowly and made his way over to the stairs, his betrothed alpha close behind him to make sure his omega didn't fall. Ash climbed up the stairs with his large towel still wrapped around his waist and made his way over to the partition where the drier towels remained. He could still feel the warmth against his lips, a phantom grazing of his lips. They almost felt swollen, but Ash knew they weren't.

"Would you like a towel?" Ash asked as he pulled two out. He turned around to see Tristan watching him. It was in a way he'd never been looked at before. It almost felt predatory even though he knew it couldn't be. 

It was only moments later that Ash looked further down and saw the hard-on that the alpha sported and Ash's face blazed red. He shouldn't be embarrassed for turning the alpha on. Ash knew it was possible after that kiss. Thankful that his own body hadn't fully erected his embarrassment, Ash handed Tristan the towel and pointed over his shoulder.

"I'll give you a moment," he whispered before darting behind the partition. His head fell into his hands as he tried to calm the rushing blood to his own lower half as well as the thundering of his heart now trying to break free. He hadn't heard the movement, but he heard the husky voice through the partition and Ash squeaked.

"I know you want out of the engagement, Ash. But I really do hope you change your mind."

At a loss for words, he heard a shuffling, a wet slop sound as he assumed a towel was dropped before the door opened and then closed. Tristan had left the room… 

The conflicting feelings of noble hospitality and frustration at their situation began to overwhelm Ash. How could Tristan refrain from him? He was enjoying it as Ash was, even more so than the omega, clearly. And yet, that gentlemanly way he gave Ash his honor made him feel worthy again. Beau had knocked him down and made him think that this was a doomed situation to be in. How could Tristan care for him when society would laugh at the alpha… Tristan had given him more than a kiss though. He gave him hope and his dignity back. That spoke volumes to the omega who now found himself growing hard at the thought. Now really wasn't the best time for that though as Tristan's scent still lingered in the room.

His hand trailed down to the towel where it was wrapped shut. He brushed his palm against himself and Ash stifled his moan. It wouldn't be wrong to get himself off. They had shared an intimate moment and Ash was dealing with the repercussions. He undid his towel and let it fall to the floor with his own sloshing sound against the tiles. As his fingers grasped his length, Ash felt another shuddering breath leave his lips. What would Tristan smell like if they'd… This thought spurred Ash into dealing with his current situation rather quickly.

***

Dinner felt awkward. Beau could tell something had happened, but to the alpha, he assumed something awful had happened. He was grinning as he ate his food, looking between Ash and Tristan with mirth. 

"Ash, what did you do today? You left the library really early." his words almost sounded as though he were goading Ash, which was something the omega didn't appreciate.

"I did. But I didn't do much else today. I took a long bath and relaxed." he said while glancing at Tristan who continued to eat with his own small smirk.

It was a good thing that Beau didn't notice the way Ash looked at the other alpha. He was secretly hoping that Beau wouldn't find out about his first kiss. If Beau had a problem with Ash being temporarily betrothed to Tristan, he would certainly have a huge issue with Ash kissing Tristan.

"I dare say I had an enjoyable day myself. What did you do, Beau?" Tristan was quick to add his opinion. This did cause Ash to blush before averting his gaze down to his plate and attempting to look modest and at ease.

"I inspected your library, did some research into Ash's replacement, and found a ride out to the next town for two days from today," Beau stated matter-of-factly. Ash was glad to see that plans were still on track. However, after the day he'd had, Ash couldn't accurately say he was still fully on board with finding a replacement. What if they didn't? Was a kiss really all it took to change his mind?

"Good, I wouldn't want you to give up and settle for me, would we, Ash," Tristan said while turning to look at him. Swallowing the food in his mouth, Ash began nodding his head.

"Giving up to settle to my agreed fate would be bad," he said, wording himself perfectly. The statement appeared as though he was agreeing in Beau's mind, that he couldn't give up the task. The statement also presented a double meaning to Tristan if he caught on. It implied that he wouldn't settle with Tristan because he gave up. It didn't imply that he would settle at all. And given the kiss they'd shared, it was evident that Ash was giving this some serious thought now.

Beau beamed at the statement and continued to eat in large bites. He cut the steak on the plate roughly, holding the fork in a primitive manner. When Ash looked between Tristan and Beau, it was vastly different. Tristan looked as if he were savoring every taste of the steak. It was as though every bite was better than the last. He even held the utensils with such a delicate hold that it reminded Ash of that tender touch to his jaw earlier. Whereas Beau held the utensils to convenience and gripped them roughly. While Ash knew that his friend wasn't rough with him, he didn't see the alpha as anything other than a friend. Could he even consider the fact that Beau may have feelings for him?