“I'm not saying you are dumb, Ezra. I'm saying you just don't understand yet and men like Andras are craftier than you can anticipate,” Reis defended because that was exactly the way he'd seen it. “Men like to control things. They like to demean and humiliate because it makes them feel more like men.” Ezra was difficult to argue against though, with him making it clear he hadn't minded most of what Andras had dished out. He believed sex was a good thing and no one had made him believe otherwise. Andras proceeding might not have even been a bad thing as far as Ezra was concerned.<br/><br/>He frowned when Ezra made it even more clear by saying he'd not craved the touch of another Asha when Andras had his hands on him.<br/><br/>“So as far as you are concerned, where he crossed the line was burning you? Otherwise, I was a mere interruption?” Reis asked, unsure what to do with that information. It made his beliefs that much more confusing, and then there was the jealousy that had always manifested when someone had chosen Andras over him. Of course, though, the man was the perfect specimen, even his asha would overlook his ugly temper and let him touch because sex to him wasn't a bad thing. Some might have beaten their pet over such words but that wasn't how Reis handled his jealousy. Instead, he compartmentalized it like he did most things.<br/><br/>Ezra had gotten up, apparently offended in some way. Reis didn't really understand until he'd claimed his bed in a huff. He'd made him feel wrong.<br/><br/>“No, Ezra. You're not wrong in everything. I just want you to understand our country better before making decisions you cannot take back. Broadening your education never hurt, and you are still my responsibility.” Reis kicked his feet up onto the couch where Ezra had been a few moments before. He let out a heavy sigh though he wasn't sure his pet was listening anymore and he doubted they would make much progress in their discussion that night. Ezra wasn't wrong but Reis didn't think he was either. He didn't want Andras violating his asha even if Ezra didn't think of it that way. He wasn't getting into his bed either, considering it forfeit now that Ezra had climbed back into it. He didn't want to make himself a hypocrite by allowing certain things when he'd just been on about wanting Ezra to understand better before making decisions he might regret.<br/><br/>And so he pulled the blankets over himself on the couch, letting the candles burn themselves out rather than getting up to blow them out. It wasn't awful. He'd accidentally fallen asleep there by the fire with a book more times than he cared to count, but he would have been more comfortable in his bed. With his usual routine. His tossing and turning were mild but morning would come too soon. Andras would be hungover and passive aggressive and he wasn't sure if Ezra would still be irritated at him for not condoning the sort of behavior that had gone on between him and his cousin.