Essek has opted to speak in Percival's study rather than their bedroom. Though they've certainly had sex in this room more than once--indeed, on both the couch where Essek is seated and the chair across from it Percival is occupying--it still lends itself a degree of separation which Essek finds important for a conversation such as this.

"To reiterate," he says coolly, "you are intending for this encounter to be sexual, correct? There will be sexual elements to the dialogue regardless, but I am confirming that you wish to actually have sex."

It might seem an obvious thing, but Essek much prefers asking obvious questions to getting something wrong in the moment. As he has already communicated, this is the time to hold nothing back. No question, comment, or concern is too small or inconsequential. His husband is placing an unprecedented amount of trust in him. Essek intends to honor that trust by not only keeping him safe, but giving him precisely the experience he desires.

Sitting forward on the sofa rather than leaning back, Essek's posture indicates his attentiveness as much as the focus of his violet eyes. His legs are primly crossed at the ankle and his hands are folded in his lap. Enshrouded in dark grey-blue velvet robes embroidered with silver stars, Essek has chosen to tie the sash around his middle in such a way that it emphasizes rather than hides his condition, the silken fabric cradling the slightly rounded curve of his belly. They found out last month that he was already more than a month in, and in the last several weeks the changes to his body have become impossible to ignore. After a formal announcement last week, Essek has taken to displaying the most prominent of these changes proudly.

He is aware of the toll this is likely taking on his husband, who has not been permitted an orgasm in three days now, despite regular sex. By they time they partake in the encounter they are discussing today, it will have been five.