Cullen waited…hesitated…and then slowly slid his hand into his. Leviathan tugged him closer, his grip tightening.
"What are you doing?" He demanded, tugging against the tight grip. “That hurts!”
"Dance with me." It wasn't a question. "Have some fun." He began pulling him onto the dance floor, taking him into the heart of the demons. Cullen trembled as the power around him intensified, the promise of death growing closer and heavier–
"Wait." He whispered, terror taking over. "Wait. I don't want to–"
“Nobody will hurt you, pet.” He came to a stop and pulled Cullen close. The music changed, shifted to something slower. Cullen saw a few of the demons around them give each other pondering looks, but Leviathan did not look away from his face. “Nobody will even look at you.” Just as he made the promise, the presence of death lightened, shifted away from him. He inhaled slowly, surprised, and kept his mouth shut as Leviathan’s hand came up, his fingertips brushing his cheek before it dropped to his waist again.
But…dancing…
He’d never been very good at it. Though he couldn’t recall a time he’d ever slow danced with Walker. It had always been a club here and there, the music and lights pulsing around him until he felt dizzy…
Leviathan wrapped a firm arm around his waist, pulling him flat against his body. Cullen swallowed hard, refusing to acknowledge the stirring in his stomach at the contact.
“Trust me, just a little.” Leviathan murmured, his lips against his ear. Cullen gasped softly, his hand curling tightly into his shirt. “Let’s have fun.”
Fun.
Here. In this place full of monsters. Where he could feel nothing but fear and confusion and where he was always in danger of whatever dark things Leviathan had rolling around in his head…
“I…I can’t dance…” He tried weakly. “You should know that…”
“It is different now. Your body is more controlled. More agile. I promise you will not make a fool of yourself.”
Cullen hesitated again but let Leviathan pull him into his arms, one of his hands wrapping tightly around Cullen's while the other took a firm grip on his hip. He flushed, but slowly raised his hand, watching it tremble as it moved to rest on Leviathan’s shoulder.
"It goes on my neck." Leviathan growled quietly.
Cullen quickly moved his hand up, his fingertips brushing the back of his neck, the soft hair that rested against it. His face burned hotter as he looked up at Leviathan, their faces close. Too close. Cullen twisted to the side, his throat moving hard as he swallowed.
Leviathan smiled. "Trust your body, Cullen." He took a fast step forward and Cullen stepped back instinctively, a startling smooth movement. Their eyes met and Leviathan smiled again, pulling Cullen with him as he began to move around the dance floor.
The other demons automatically moved out of their way, parting off to the sides with grumbles of annoyance that Leviathan seemed to not notice. His hands remained tight on him; Cullen found it very easy to know which direction to turn, where to place his feet, though he knew he’d pummeled Walker’s feet over and over again every time they’d danced together. It seemed easier somehow with Leviathan.
The new demon body, he was sure.
The music switched to a new song but stayed slow. He felt Leviathan edge a little closer to him and, to his surprise, he let him, let himself be lost in it for a little while, let himself feel…happy. And when Leviathan drew away and raised his arm, Cullen let him spin him away, a nervous laugh popping from his mouth when he pulled him back to him.
Leviathan’s eyes widened at the sound and he suddenly slowed their movements, leaning in to put his lips to Cullen's ear. "You're smiling, Cull. It looks good on you."
Cullen started, his cheeks getting warm. The happiness wilted as if it had been sprayed with poison. He said nothing as he flashed a glare up at him.
Dammit. Why was he so damn tall? "Yeah, well, I have to put on a good show or you're going to do something horrible to me. Don't let the fake smile go to your head." It hadn't been fake though. He hadn't even realized he'd been smiling, laughing, had been enjoying himself. He almost wished Leviathan hadn't said anything, hadn’t reminded him of where he was and who he was with.
Leviathan grinned, pulling his body flush against his own. He felt a twitch in his gut and winced. "You couldn't fool me when you were human and you can't fool me now, pet. You're enjoying yourself."
"I told you to stop calling me that." Cullen hissed, trying to pull away from him. It was time to put an end to this. It had been stupid as hell to let this go this far. He could feel so many eyes on him. Onthem.
"Why?" Leviathan asked softly. "Because youlikeit?"
Leviathan's fingers tightened painfully on his. Cullen let out a pained grunt and latched onto a handful of Leviathan's hair, pulling it hard, trying to cause him pain back.
But Leviathan only smiled that infuriating smile, his eyes blazing again. A little flutter shot through his stomach in response. "Don't get feisty with me, boy. You'll see a side of me you're not ready for." He began moving again, dragging Cullen in slow circles with him as Cullen released his hair, his heart pounding harder at the words. "Just keep enjoying yourself. It's almost time foryournight to end."
He frowned. "What do you mean?" He'd figured Leviathan would keep him here all night, just to irritate him.
But Leviathan only chuckled. "This is the first time I’ve seen some of these people in several long centuries. As a Prince of Hell, I have a certain…image to keep up.” He caught Cullen’s confused look and smiled. “Let’s just say you wouldn't like the later festivities.”
