For a second, Rat remembered himself and shook his head, reaching down to cup Marius' face. "This is fine," he said. Rat had practice in using his mouth, relaxing his throat; if Marius hadn't done it before, this wasn't the right time.

"Come here." Rat beckoned him up with a hand. "Kiss me." Kiss him and touch him. It was all he wanted, needed for now. To feel pleasure and to be reminded he wasn't alone. That was enough.