[ There was no way that Caleb would gatekeep Essek's boundaries for him, he trusted the other man to tell him no; but it was good to touch base with Essek and to let him know that the term 'no' was acceptable and he would take it as a full and complete stop. Once Essek was close enough, he reached under the waters to find Essek's own hand and then he twined their fingers together.

He was nervous; gods he was so very nervous.

The hand clasped stated in unspoken words that he would not let Essek flounder or drown. His own breathing was still a bit quickened. ] Then we are agreed, the two of us have the power to say 'no' and it will be taken as such with no questions asked and no hard feelings.

[ And thus he looped in Essek's agency with his own, twining them together with a bow. His other hand was then on Essek's waist once within reach and he tugged him closer, but not too close-- his eyes then slipped to Essek's eyes, and the careful downward sweet toward those full lips. He had tasted them twice and suddenly his lips tingled for want.

A swallow.

And then he leaned in and nuzzled their noses together because he had a feeling that if he kissed Essek, everything would change and he was prolonging that first step for as long as possible; because part of it terrified him just as much as it lured him. ]