Blue couldn't stop himself from giggling; it wasn't often that Eivind made a joke, and he found it somewhat cute to see shadows of anxiety creep up over the wolf's shoulders. "My dad has a few hunting rifles, but I think as long as you don't come padding up to the door on all fours, you should be fine." He smiled, but Eivind's next point was one that caused him a bit of concern. He kept himself pressed against Eivind's skin, slowly kissing and licking as he considered his lover's words. The entire reason he had left was due to the explosive and violent way his parents, particularly his father, had reacted to the news of his homosexuality. After missing for months, showing up on their doorstep without warning and with a man,<i>an older man</i>, at his side was going to be complicated, at best. Blue knew Little Bird and Chrysanthemum would be happy to see him, and that brought him small bits of relief, but he had no idea how his mother and father were going to react.<br/><br/>But a gay son was better than a dead son, wasn't it? And a gay son with an older boyfriend<i>was better than a dead son</i>, wasn't it?<br/><br/>It was a while before Blue had come up with something perhaps mildly comforting to tell Eivind. The wolf had his arms around him and Blue was kneeling between his lover's thighs, arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders as Eivind kissed him deeply, no convincing needed. The young man moaned against his mate's lips, cock twitching with anticipation as Eivind began showering kisses all over his face. "Vin, I want you to know something," he gasped, arching his back to give his older paramour access to whatever piece of skin he craved. "Whatever happens with my family, I'm yours. And you're mine." He entangled his fingers in Eivind's hair, pressing his lips to his temple and kissing it delicately before continuing. "I love my family. And despite what happened, my parents are good people, if misguided. I don't hate them for being wrong. Perhaps they'll see how much we care about one another, and it'll change their minds." It was a naive, lofty hope, but Blue chose to hold onto the fantasy, at least for now.<br/><br/>"But regardless, I want you to know that I . . . " He didn't know how to continue his sentence, to explain how he felt to the wolf. Love was too strong a word, one that sent Blue's heart into a racing panic and made his palms damp with unease. He knew he cared about Eivind, deeply, more than he had any other man he had been with. There were invisible ropes tying the two males together and Blue had no intention of cutting them. He was infatuated, that much he knew, but saying that didn't sound right, or romantic, or anything like what Eivind would want to hear. Blue had slowly come to figure out that when speaking with Eivind, it was best to attempt to communicate in ways he understood, to speak his language instead of forcing foreign human concepts onto him and instantly expecting him to comprehend. Eivind wasn't stupid, far from it, but he was a wolf through and through. That meant that sometimes, Blue would have to think like a wolf, too.<br/><br/>"I'm yours," he said finally, deciding that the simplest explanation would be the best. Eivind seemed to understand this, and he kissed him again. Blue felt his chest swell and he reached for his lover's pants, fingers deft and desperate, but the wolf stopped him and pulled away. Blue looked at him, his fair, healthier-looking visage a mask of confusion. His hair was still a mess, but the circles beneath his eyes had disappeared, and his pink lips were pouting as Eivind gently rejected his advances.<br/><br/>"Strenuous?" Blue replied, a petulant tone to his voice that suggest he was displeased with his wolf's decision. "But, Vin, I feel so much better! Don't you want to play with your mate? We have this big hotel room all to ourselves. And this soft, inviting bed." Blue stood once more and grabbed Eivind's hands, placing them on his sharp hip bones and lifting the wolf's chin up to look at him. "I know you can smell me," he whispered, a mischievous smirk on his face. But Eivind was being particularly stubborn, as usual, and gave him a teasing grin right back.<br/><br/>Blue huffed and pulled away. They had spent an eternity getting comfortable enough with one another to finally have sex, and now that Blue was more than willing, Eivind was keeping it from him. The young man didn't expect to feel so angered, but he had also never been told no before. He briefly wondered if this was just a minuscule fraction of the frustration Eivind had felt the entire time they were together before they had consummated their relationship, his body constantly demanding he claim Blue as his own. If so, he felt empathy toward the wolf, but it did not help lessen his discontent.<br/><br/>"Okay, a bath," Blue conceded, making up his mind that if Eivind wanted to play with him, that he could play, too. He sauntered over to the bathroom and pushed the door open, shivering as his feet crossed over the cold tiled floor. Sig hadn't been bluffing when he said he got them particularly nice accommodations, accommodations Blue was sure Eivind was paying for out of pocket. They'd have to discuss that at some point. The wolf had made it perfectly clear that money was not an issue for him, but Blue had never wanted a sugar daddy. The hospital visit must have cost a few thousand dollars, at least, and Blue had no idea how long they were going to be occupying the hotel. It placed Blue in an awkward position. He was grateful to Eivind, but he didn't want to feel indebted. He didn't have the money or the means to pay Eivind back, but he'd figure something out. Eventually. Now, of course, was not the time to think about such things.<br/><br/>The tub was large and beguiling with more than enough room for Blue and Eivind to fit comfortably, even with Blue's long and slender legs. With the door wide open, Blue knew Eivind would be able to see him clearly. He made an effort of slowly leaning over the tub to reach the faucet, turning the knobs and testing the temperature of the water until it was agreeable. He didn't consider himself much of a seducer, but Eivind had been easy to tempt in the past. Seeing his mate's ass, toned from years of adventurous hiking, would at least hopefully set Eivind's lupine instincts aflame.<br/><br/>Blue had gotten used to bathing in cold water thanks to only having rivers at his disposal for most of the past couple of months, but despite Eivind's cheeky suggestion he settled on making the water slightly warm, just enough for the two to be comfortable. He let his fingers lazily drag through the water as it slowly filled up the bath, keeping himself bent over the edge of the tub. "Are you coming?" he called over his shoulder, wiggling himself slightly as he peered behind him. "Or am I going to do this all by myself?"