Laurent was not Kastor. No, Damen had known Kastor for decades and still was deceived by him. Laurent was still an unknown variable to him, their short acquaintance hardly enough to understand his true motives and feelings. Damen wanted with all his heart to believe that they were honest and true, with the same affection Laurent showed him in unguarded moments, but...how could he be sure?

Damen let out his breath, which he'd unconsciously held. He uncurled his hand, spreading it out over his thigh. "I...didn't mean to. You did nothing wrong. That place has...memories for me." Not good ones. Not ones he particularly wanted to reveal to Laurent at this moment.

He met Laurent's eyes, and was quiet for a few seconds. Now he understood Laurent's uncertainty. "I don't know," Damen said honestly. He was left in a daze of confusion, taken abruptly from the more pleasant trend of Laurent's attentions that had made this activity palatable to him. He had no desire to finish the job; the half-hard state of him now testified to that. He'd never experienced anything a tenth so complicated in the bedroom as this.

Wordlessly, he tucked an arm around Laurent's shoulders and drew his head down to nestle against Damen's chest, trying to communicate his wish to be close, even when his own feelings warred with each other.