A bead of sweat trickled down the side of Perian’s face.
Brannal had apparently been watching like a hawk because he said, “Could we consider this an adequate first lesson?”
“Of course,” Trill agreed.
He pulled back immediately, but it was equally clear that Perian hadn’t stopped. Trill wasn’t sure how to describe it, but it felt like the other man went… deeper than he did.
He laid his hand on the man’s shoulder and gave a little tug on his energy.
Perian’s eyes popped open, and he released Molun’s hand. He blinked at Trill in surprise, then looked to Brannal, who was now on his feet.
“Oh, oops,” Perian said, smiling apologetically. “Uh, at least I didn’t pass out?”
Brannal didn’t look particularly reassured.
“We can work on it,” Trill assured him. “Remember, you’re coming at this from trying to instinctively help people you care about. I think it’s perfectly normal that you’re getting a little lost in it. I found out what I could do and then learned how to do it, and it was only later that I found people I cared about that I really wanted to help. You see?”
Perian smiled at him. “That actually makes a lot of sense. You’re really good at that.”
Trill beamed. “Thank you. Not to alarm you, but this is actually the first time I’ve ever tried to teach anyone.”
Perian was shaking his head. “No, no, it’s amazing. I mean, everything that I’ve figured out up to this point has been on my own, and I’d much rather have someone with suggestions.”
“It’s really nice to have someone to talk about it all with,” Trill agreed.
Perian nodded emphatically.
Trill looked at Molun. “How do you feel?”
“Good,” Molun agreed. “No ache at all.”
Trill could see that Brannal was still looking a little antsy next to Perian.
“You know the best thing you can do after you’ve healed someone?”
“No, what?” Perian asked.
Trill waggled his eyebrows and gave Perian his best leer. He burst into laughter.
“Really?”
“Of course,” Trill said. “How do you get all your energy?”
Perian seized Brannal’s hand. “In that case, everyone, amuse yourselves for a while, all right?”
He tugged Brannal out of the room without waiting for them to respond. Molun was laughing, and Trill grinned at him.
“Totally essential that they have sex right away, huh?” Molun asked.
Trill shrugged. “Well, it’s not a bad practice, and it certainly won’t do any harm.”
Arvus was shaking his head, but he looked amused. “I think it will definitely make Brannal feel better.”
“How could it not?” Molun asked. “Speaking of, Perian wasn’t the only one who was doing some healing, now was he?”
“Oh, do I look like I need an energy boost?” Trill asked coyly.
“You look like you’d like to have all the sex. You want to have all the sex, don’t you?” Molun asked hopefully.
