Cowardly, that was what it was. He had never thought of himself as a coward in all his life but…he was one now. Whatever Cullen might be thinking about that bastard Walker…Leviathan didn’t want to know. Let him steal one last night from him. Just in case talking to Walker made him change his mind.
Not that Leviathan was entirely sure he would let him go.
He had thought he meant it, in the beginning. That he would let him go if Cullen was really so unhappy with him here. But now…he just couldn’t imagine it. Things had changed too much between them. And, even if he let him go now…he couldn’t imagine he would let him stay gone forever. He had never promised not to bring him back here again, after all. Only that he would let himgo.
But, whatever the case, he wouldn’t think of it for now. For now, it was just him and Cullen, as it was supposed to be. And his present…well, it would certainly help his doubts that Cullen no longer wanted to stay with him, if Cullen would allow him to do it.
He heard a soft gasp as they entered his bedroom, felt Cullen’s hand grow tighter on his, and still he said nothing, leading him to the balcony, giving his fingers a subtle flick before he pushed the doors open.
Cullen gasped again at the sight in front of them, and this time Leviathan allowed himself a small smile, his hand tightening on his as they made their way towards the large bed that now took up the majority of the balcony. A mirror of the bed inside his room, but without the gossamer canopy that would block the sky from them.
The sky that was now clear, a slow rainbow of stars freckling the darkness instead of the massive waves of dark smoke that usually adorned the space. Cullen let go of him, moving across the balcony, his head tipped back while he gazed at the sky. It had been too long since Leviathan had brought him back up to this place. Since they’d watched the stars of this realm together.
And last time had gone…poorly. He wouldn’t let such a thing happen again.
Slowly, he let his power flow out of him again, ordering the stars to grow and expand until they were shooting across the sky as if they’d been shot from invisible catapults. Cullen gasped again, his hands moving to rest on the stone railing. Leviathan sat on the edge of the bed, smiling softlywhile he watched him.
No. He definitely wouldn’t be letting him go. Not permanently, anyway.
Minutes passed and, finally, Cullen turned back to him, his doubts and pain erased, replaced with a soft smile and excitement shining in his eyes.
“So, what is it that you have planned?” He asked as he walked towards him.
“What makes you think I have anything planned?” He murmured, pasting a playful smile on his lips.
“Don’t be a smartass.” Cullen muttered, rolling his eyes as he dropped to sit beside him. “You wouldn’t be bringing me up here and giving me a meteor shower without planning something big.”
Leviathan smiled, bringing his hand up to cup his cheek. Cullen leaned into the touch with a small smile.
“Are you feeling okay?”
There was a fraction of hesitation. “I am.”
He watched him carefully for a few moments and then leaned in to kiss him, his thumb slipping under his jaw to raise his face. Cullen murmured in surprise, a nervous laugh popping free of him before he shifted closer, his hand slipping into his hair.
Leviathan cracked an eye open, watching the anxiety leaving Cullen’s face as he kissed him breathless. The moment a soft moan escaped him, Leviathan leaned into him, shutting his eyes as he spun and pinned him to the bed. Cullen’s arms curled up around his neck, drawing him closer, and Leviathan let him take control of the kiss, his hands brushing down his sides and his hips while Cullen swept his tongue into his mouth and moaned, his body arching up against him. Leviathan nipped at his lip andpressed his hips down against his, rubbing against him through their clothes until Cullen was gasping, his hands pushing at his back to press him down harder. When his hand slid under Leviathan’s shirt, drawing it up, Leviathan caught his hand and pinned it down, holding it down beside his head. Cullen grinned up at him, his eyes bright with excitement.
Leviathan matched the grin and then sat up, drawing him with him as he moved to the center of the bed. Cullen crossed his legs, looking curious. But no longer upset. That was good.
Still, he hesitated, knowing it was…a lot to ask for.
“Areyouokay?” Cullen asked, startling him out of his thoughts. “Did I…how I reacted before…it probably bothered you…”
He gave him a small smile. “I have been alive a long time, Cullen. I would be surprised if you didn’t have some type of response to everything that happened tonight.” He paused. “And even if it did bother me a little, it’s not as if I didn’t bring the whole damn mess down on myself.”
Cullen said nothing to that and Leviathan chuckled, snapping his fingers to summon the little bejeweled box that held his present. He saw Cullen’s eyes widen as it popped into existence in his hands and smiled again.
“Wait!” Cullen gasped, horror bursting across his face. “I didn’t get a chance to buy your present!” He started to get up–and Leviathan caught his wrist, dragging him back down.
“This is all I want from you.” He murmured, letting go of him. “For you to accept this. It’s…all I want.”
Cullen frowned, looking a bit confused. But he only smiled and waited. Slowly, Leviathan set the box down andopened it, pausing while Cullen looked at the silver chain and the small black jewel inside.
“Wow.” He breathed, reaching for it. “It’s beautiful.”
“Hang on.” He caught his hand. Cullen looked up at him in surprise and Leviathan hesitated, frowning thoughtfully before he reached for him, pulling him into his lap. Cullen grinned down at him, resting his hands on his shoulders.
“Can’t sex wait till after my present?”
