Something ached in his chest, but he found himself reaching for him, his hand coming down on Walker’s shoulder to hold him still.
“Hold still.” He whispered, his voice breaking. “I’ll make it quick, I promise.” Walker screamed and cried and Cullen thought he might be sick at the sight of it. “I’m sorry, Walker.” He breathed, raising the knife. His hand trembled so hard he worried he might drop it. He hesitated, staring into those lovely blue eyes he’d loved for so long–and then plunged the blade forward, burying it in his heart.
Bones cracked and skin tore–and Walker vanished from under his hand, as if he’d never been there at all. Cullen stumbled back with a gasp of shock, the knife clattering from his hand–and Leviathan caught him, pulling him back into that wide chest.
“Very good.” Leviathan purred, the sound rumbling against Cullen’s back.
“I…I don’t understand…”
“It’s so easy to dive into that pretty, pretty head of yours.” Leviathan whispered, his fingers brushing against his throat. Cullen felt the shift of magic and Leviathan’s body was suddenly small again. Well…normal size, anyway. He nuzzled his cheek against his, wrapping an arm around his chest to pull him closer. “So easy to make you see what I want you to see. We’ll have to work on that.”
He exhaled shakily. “It was…fake?” Leviathan nodded. “I…I didn’t kill him?”
“He remains alive for now. Though humans are so very fragile. I wouldn’t be surprised if he meets an unpleasant end soon enough.” He kissed his neck. “Not that you’ll ever seehim again either way.”
Cullen sagged against him with a heavy sigh of relief, his hand coming up to wipe the tears from his eyes. “I thought I was a fucking murderer.” He breathed, surprised when he felt a little bubble of stressed laughter coming into his chest. “You’re such a fucking asshole.” He wiped at the tears on his face, but more instantly came, followed quickly by the laughter, finally spilling out in a wild, breathless torrent that made him hunch over. Only Leviathan’s tight grip on him kept him standing. “I hate you…” He choked out through the half-crazed laughter, his chest aching.
“No, you don’t.” Leviathan murmured, kissing the spot under his ear. Cullen’s laughter slowly began to trail off as he lingered there, his lips soft and hot. “You love me.” Leviathan’s hand slid down between his legs, startling a yelp out of him. “Say it again.”
“I…” He gasped, his hips pumping forward into his hand as he started to grow hard. “Stop it… We need to… I’m mad at you…for tricking me…”
“And I’m still mad at you.” Leviathan whispered, rubbing him harder. Cullen dropped his head back with a soft groan, his hand curling around his wrist. “Let’s make up.”
“Levi…”
“We’re past it now, pet.” He murmured, trailing his lips down his throat. “Let’s move on.”
“I, um…” He moaned and arched into his touch as his hand came up, brushing over his chest. “We should talk…”
“Later.” He began to unbutton his shirt.
“N-no, now…” He spun in his arms, pushing away his reaching hands. “Listen. I didn’t want–”
Leviathan kissed him, his lips unbearably soft andsweet. Cullen was instantly lost to it, sighing softly as he stepped closer and parted his lips for him.
“We’re okay?” He asked breathlessly, his hands tugging against the sides of the shirt he now wore. It was a strange contrast to see him in such human clothes after seeing him in that other form wearing something so ethereal.
“We’re okay.” Leviathan murmured, bringing his hands up to cup his face. “Unless you’d like to fight about the illusion now.”
Slowly, Cullen shook his head and curled his arms around his back, pulling him closer. “No more fighting.” He whispered, bringing his mouth to his.
“For now.” Leviathan promised, letting his tongue flick against his lips. He started to move closer, but Cullen drew away, pressing a gentle hand to his chest. Leviathan looked at him curiously, his hands stroking gently down his back. “What’s wrong?”
“Why did you change back?”
Leviathan stilled. “What?”
“Your body.” He mumbled. “Why did you change it back to this?”
He hesitated. “You were scared of the other form.”
“Yes.” He admitted quietly. Then, even quieter, “But I liked it.”
Leviathan remained very still, his eyes searching his face. Cullen waited, his cheeks burning while he tried to find the words to explain.
But Leviathan only chuckled and stepped back from him, looking devious. “Are you sure?”
His throat gave a hard bob. But he gave a small nod–and Leviathan smiled.
