Hearing the sound that Essek muffles with his pillow sends a jolt of excitement straight through him. He lets Essek guide his hand to the sash and with a deft tug Verin loosens it. That done, he pushes silk out of his way until he can feel lace again. Light, just dreaming of this body, of Essek, has gotten him off more nights than not while he's alone in the barracks.

"Yes," he murmurs, voice pitching lower as Verin kisses his brother's neck. Whether it's for Essek's honor or not, that is exactly what he's been doing. But Verin also really does oppose the way some of his peers talk about his brother and bruises make a lesson stick. He feels a hot spike of jealousy when Essek suggests Verin is worried about finding some unnamed knight here in his bed. He has no right to feel that way, and yet he cannot stop it. Verin gives a harder thrust against his brother and holds him tighter.

"Yes," he repeats, his voice tighter as he confesses. He cannot and will not keep Essek from seeking out someone should he want them, but he doesn't have to enjoy the thought. They have always belonged to each other, bound by something so few share. Verin can't even blame Essek for teasing him: he started it.