After that, catching his breath takes a minute. While Yussa relaxes his hold on him, Caleb cradles him close still, nuzzling against the back of his neck as his body gradually calms, growing heavy and loose, satisfied. The breeze coming off the ocean really is a relief.

"Wow," he finally mutters with a soft laugh under his breath. "Sorry, I did not mean to be so rough with you at the end." The apology is accompanied by another kiss, this one beneath a pointed ear. He can feel how tired his body is; every movement is starting to become more of a struggle. He's certainly come twice in a night--three times since he arrived earlier in the day--with Yussa before, but typically over a longer time and with less immediate needs to fulfill.

Which, of course, brings him to ask, "Are you feeling as good as I am?" Content, pleasantly sleepy, sated.