Yussa wants to lean in, to close the scant space still left between them, but he tries to wait. He wants to hear Caleb out, even if every word enflames his desire. Some of the things Caleb says, the limits he sets, sound like they are in place due to bad experiences, and Yussa finds himself annoyed that anyone could use this man with cruelty, in any context.

He finally gives in and presses a kiss to Caleb's slightly parted lips.

"I do not enjoy setting up anyone to fail." Not if he is invested in him. "And while I think I might like being mean to you, I will never be cruel. I will bear all this in mind, but it remains my requirement that you speak up should anything be heading in a direction you do not want."

If Caleb is putting himself in Yussa's care, then honesty is the only way forward for both of them. He kisses Caleb again, aware that he will be the reason for the breakdown of the conversation at this rate. He breathes a soft sigh and it almost sounds like longing. He should hold up his end of this.

"I don't mind rough handling, may even encourage it if I am in the right mood," he says, still quite close. "But there is a difference between that and inflicting pain with no other purpose. I am not interested in the latter. There will be days when I have no interest or energy to wield authority once I am off the Academy grounds, I hope that will not be a disappointment. If it will be, we'll simply not make arrangements on those days."