"Merely by existing," he confirms, a smile in his voice as Essek nuzzles close. He can feel his husband's breath warm against his neck and it brings him deep comfort. "Have I not been obvious about how highly I regard you?"

His fingers drift affectionately over Essek's back and he presses a kiss to the top of his mate's head. Gods, he loves this man.

Percival does manage to slip into sleep, though not deeply. Essek only needs a four-hour trance and he knows he will wake the moment the wizard stirs, there is no escaping that. He's too attuned right now to sleep through anything involving his mate. He's also very eager to be home in a very primal way. Somewhere familiar, safe, and theirs.

Perhaps he should have anticipated that he'd be half-hard by the time Essek wakes.