The growl and the scrape of Percival's teeth against his skin is like nothing else. Essek's breath hitches audibly. That more than anything makes him want to give in, to just admit that he needs him and he can't wait. There's no shame in that. He's in heat, and Percival has been tending to him for days. He knows already.

But the idea of being the first to give in is so unpalatable to him that he chooses to continue to suffer, entirely needlessly. Honestly, it's stupid. He thought he'd abandoned his pride days ago when he teleported into the timberlands to find his husband, but apparently it's returned along with his return to the castle.

He goes along with Percival's instructions, hyperaware of his touch and the way their bodies align, even closer now that he's leaned forward and the other man is filling the space behind him. The soap is rinsed from his hair as his husband runs his fingers through it, and it's so much, that and his cock nearly angled to slip between his thighs. Essek braces one hand on the edge of the tub, fingers curling tight around it, and contemplates just getting on his hands and knees again, as he has so many times recently.

But there is at least one more thing he can think of to bring up, and it is something he must do regardless, game or not. While Percival's mind, and therefore his choices and opinions, seems not to change much between one form and another, he still must makes sure.

"Percival," he murmurs, eyes closing, "I must know--several days ago we discussed...having a family together. Is this what you want still?"