Tipping my head, I told him, “Bath in big town. Big bath, hot water.”
“Big town? You mean–”
His words cut off suddenly as I stripped off my clothes and boots. The legwear I would use again, but the tunic would only be needed once the sun had set, so I would put it away for the time being. I glanced over at Arlen, only to find him gaping at my cock with a hungry expression that made me wish for more privacy. The hungry looks he gave me from time to time made my blood boil with lust and it took all of my self-control not to drag him to the sand to ravish him, audience be damned.
“Arlen,” I half-growled, feeling myself swell at his avid attention. Nudity around my brothers was common, as we often bathed together. Being seen with an erection would get me teased for weeks.
“Huh? Oh!” His eyes ripped from my cock, and he slapped his hands over them, spinning around for good measure. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to stare!”
I didn’t want him thinking I didn't want him to look at me, especially not in that way, so I wrapped my arms around him, murmuring in his ear while pressing my cock to his ass to emphasize my point.
“When we alone, you can have me. I am yours, velren. I only wait for less people around.”
He nodded rapidly, but didn’t remove his hands from his eyes. “O-Okay. Sounds good. I– I’ll give you privacy and–”
My grip tightened to keep him close, a smile pulling at my lips at the way he shivered in my hold despite the heat. That was not a shiver of cold. That was want. Something I very much wished to explore once we had privacy.
“Stay. You get clean, too.”
He shook his head vehemently, dropping his hands to clutch at his clothes instead. “I can’t. Everyone will see.”
I wasn’t sure what he meant by that until I turned him around and saw his erection straining against his legwear. Had he removed his clothes, he’d have the same issue I was already fighting against. It was wrong that I felt smug about that. I jerked my chin toward where the rest of our company was resting. “Go rest. I return you in a moment.”
His face twitched, and I knew without asking that the sentence was wrong, but I chose not to ask for clarification. His eyes kept flicking down to glance at my cock, and his face was turning scarlet. Had we been in the forest where we could find a private moment, he knew I wouldn’t hesitate, which likely only added to his struggle. I didn’t wish to cause him embarrassment by keeping him here.
“Go.”
He nodded and spun on his heel, fleeing to the safety of the shade while I quickly scrubbed down with one of the few bars of soap we had left. We’d thought we’d brought enough for the journey, but hadn’t expected the delay in the forest. It was good we would be home soon.
Dras took the pot once I was finished so he could refill it and take his own turn to wash, and when I returned to the group, Arlen had his head buried in his arms, his knees tucked against his chest.
Frowning, I sat beside him, putting my hand on his back. “Arlen?”
“Y-Yes?” he asked without lifting his face.
“What’s wrong? Did I upset you?”
Arlen was still red in the face when he looked up, but he leaned into my embrace, shaking his head with a pained smile.
“No, it’s not that. I just…” He trailed off, looking over his shoulders at the others, most of which were napping or talking amongst themselves. Putting my arm around his shoulders, I pulled him close, leaning so I could hear him without the others hearing as well. “I’ve never dealt with this before. Being this… aroused in public,” he whispered, his cheeks turning even darker pink as he explained. “I just can’t seem to help myself around you. I’m embarrassed.”
“No, velren. No embarrass.” Leaning closer so my lips brushed his ear, I murmured, “I want you, too. Soon we will be at clan. Until then, I wish only hold you.”
He turned his face to look at me, our lips brushing lightly in a soft kiss. His smile was pleased and sweet, and when I stood to join Dras in making a meal with food provided from the soldiers, he followed, helping in little ways that he could. Like he didn’t wish to part from me. It gave me hope for the future. Perhaps he felt the same way I did.
By the time we finished, he seemed more relaxed, though his skin was still pink. I frowned at him, touching the pink on his cheeks.
Blinking up at me, he cocked his head curiously. “What is it?”
“You petal color. Why?”
“Pale skin in the sun turns pink,” one of the soldiers explained as he came to join us, handing out flasks of water to those who were still awake. “Many Eldarans turn this color while visiting Al Nuzem. He needs shade and proper clothing until his skin is used to the bite of the sun.”
“Is it injury?” I asked, concerned.
The man shook his head. “Not if he returns to the shade. If he stays longer out it will get worse and blister. Shade is best.”
Scooping Arlen off his feet, I hurried him to the shaded area, plopping him on the cushions the soldiers had provided. Putting my hands up, I implored him, “Stay. I bring food here. No moving.”