Essek's breathing is rapidly growing shallow as arousal sweeps through him in an irresistible tide, hitching at the strength of Verin's grip on his thigh. Their bodies grind together in this moment, Verin's hips rolling down against his while his thighs tighten around his waist, but there is also the decades of history between them that this moment is built upon, an addiction that only grows more potent with time. He can feel the stiffening heat of Verin's erection, and Essek's entire body tingles and throbs like a numb limb finally thawing out.

"I know," Essek whispers. The silky lilt of his voice manages to be both soothing and provocative as their lips brush and his fingers twist firmly into his brother's hair. "I know you have, my love."

He drags his other hand down from Verin's jaw, down his throat to where his robe parts over his sturdy chest. He slips it inside to feel the warmth of his bare skin, the thump of his heart beneath, slipping his robe open as he goes.

"I remember how sweet you used to be for me when we both still lived at the main house," he whispers. "How you would sneak into my bed already hard from thinking of me, and I would have to cover your mouth while I rode you or sucked you or you'd have woken the whole wing." Before Verin had anyone else. Before he left to live in the barracks and learned to be quiet. Before Essek was granted these towers. Darkened lips curling, he teases, "You were so needy sometimes, little brother. Perhaps I spoiled you a bit. You knew that I would always take care of you if you told me how much you loved me."