“Can I?” Julian asked, breath tight in what Rami hoped was anticipation.

Another shiver went through them as Julian asked forpermission.

It was heady.

“Yes,” Rami answered. “You can touch yourself.”Because I said so.

A noise slipped out of Julian, and the sound rocked through Rami.

Rami stared, watching Julian’s hands slide up his thighs and work at the button. The hiss of the zipper seemed loud in the silence, and then Julian was pulling himself out, hand wrapping around his length with no shamewhatsoever.

“Just—just do what I do,” Julian told them.

Rami nodded, eyes wide, mouth dry, and watched as Julian slid his hand up and down. The head of his cock was flushed and peeked out from his grip on every stroke.

Rami mimicked him, the water sloshing with each move of their hand.

They squeezed their fist just like Julian did as they dragged their hand up, and a shaky breath slid out.

His rhythm was slow, and Rami kept pace easily.

Something swelled in them, making their lower back tight and their stomach clench. This felt more similar to what they’d read in books, and they chased that feeling, eyes locked on Julian’s every movement.

But as the moments passed and Julian’s muttered directions grew high and tight, Rami wanted… more.

They cleared their throat. “You did say it was better…withsomeone,” Rami said carefully. “Is that still the case?”

“Yes,” Julian blurted, head tilting back. His eyes slid open before he slowly turned to face Rami. His cheeks were flushed, horns glinting in the light, and Rami decided they enjoyed the sight quite a lot. “I would love that. Please let me touch you.”

Please.

The request cut through Rami’s sensibilities like a knife.

“Since you asked so nicely,” Rami breathed, legs shifting beneath the hot water.

Julian sat up on his knees, turning toward the bath, and Rami’s breath caught, watching his slim fingers curve over the tub’s edge.

“I’ll go slow,” Julian promised.

And then he was pushing up his sleeves and slipping his hand into the water.

Rami startled at the first brush of his hand against their skin, his palm flattening against their thigh. He squeezed, just lightly, and it made Rami’s stomach tighten.

“Okay?” Julian asked, his eyes locked on Rami’s face.

They couldn’t hide like this. They were completely exposed, no matter how much the bubbles tried to cover.

“Yes,” Rami said, their voice no stronger than a whisper.

They met Julian’s gaze, watched him watch them as his hand moved, sliding up their thigh, grasping once before—

A sound slipped out, their breath escaping as Julian’s deft fingers curled around their length.

“How’s that?” Julian asked, voice deeper now.

“That’s—certainly different,” they managed to say, attention sliding to the slowly popping bubbles, revealing more of Julian’s wrist and knuckles as he worked.

Julian kept his word, hand moving slowly up their cock and back down. On the next upstroke, he tightened his fist and Rami’s hips shifted instinctively.