He was always pressuring the brat to do something or other. Always pushing and pushing, somewhat ignoring the way the black haired brat clung to his every word and would have done just about anything to keep his very new boyfriend happy. Something about it didn't sit right with Leviathan, though he had seen this same outcome thousands of times and never been bothered by it before.
So why did he find his mental gaze flickering back to the brat as hebegan to pull his clothes off? The anxiety there…the hesitation…the way that Walker turned away as if he didn’t care if his boyfriend undressed in front of him… Something about it pissed him off.
Before another heartbeat passed in this frail mortal body, Leviathan flung his mind out, his thoughts stretching across the water and diving deep into the dark haired boy’s mind. The boy froze, his hands pausing on his belt, as if he’d sensed the intrusion. Though that was quite impossible.
Leviathan let his thoughts morph with the brat’s, let his mental voice shift and soften until it matched what the brat’s voice would sound like.
Don’t doubt yourself on behalf of these pathetic children.He whispered into the boy’s head.They are inferior to you. Show them your confidence so that they do not dare open their mouths again.Because they had been teasing the brat–Cullen, was his name–mercilessly all night. It was veiled behind false kindness, fake camaraderie, and Cullen knew it.
And, against his better judgment, Leviathan found himself feeling oddly defensive for the kid.
But his words had worked easily enough; Cullen had undressed and climbed into the icy water of the lake, his pale skin glowing as he moved across the water towards Walker, who was standing near several other boys, laughing about some stupid ass joke.
Leviathan remained in the brat’s head, searching through his thoughts curiously. There was anxiety there. Hesitation. And excitement. Excitement as he waded closer, coming quite close to his hosts’ body. He could feel the brat’s smile, feel the way he shifted in the water, and feel his disappointment when Walker merely turned to give him a small smile before turning back to the other boys. He felt the rejection in Cullen’s mind, felt the tightening in his chest, and found himself pushing more thoughts into his head.
Is that how you wish to be treated?He demanded of the brat.The human’s body tensed, as if he’d realized the words didn’t quite belong to him.Pushed into bad situations and ignored?
After a few long seconds, the black haired boy snapped his teeth together and shook his head. Leviathan felt a vicious thrill run through him.
He had never been able to just dive into another person's mind like that–not since he'd been sealed in these damn humans. For it to be happening so easily now…perhaps the control was slipping. After all this time. The thought made him damn neargiddy.
The minutes passed and, for a bit, he simply watched. Watched the boy try–and fail–to get Walker’s attention. He watched the disappointment flick across Cullen’s face, watched the way the other boys snickered at his obvious desperation while Walker ignored him.
Why the brat had even invited Cullen here, Leviathan didn't understand. He hardly liked the guy at all, despite the numerous dates they'd been on at this point. And Walker must not have taken whatever they had very seriously at all, since his hand was curled lightly around the wrist of a girl with short brown hair, his eyes focused on her.
Leviathan ignored them both, diving back into Cullen’s head.
You didn't think he was actually interested in you?He whispered into the brat's head. Cullen flinched.Look at him drooling over her. Right in front of you. He's got no respect for you.He'd meant the words to hurt, yes, but he hadn't expected the little tinge of rage he felt as he spoke them into his mind.
You should leave.He continued, ignoring the odd emotion in himself.You don't want to be here and he doesn't want you here.
Doubt burst through Cullen’s head. Leviathan smirked.
He already had such good control in his weak vessel, the angel blood in his veins nearly completely diluted to human blood…if he could hurt him this way, if he could snap that fragile little link that bound him to the others in his life…
Walk away.He ordered in the boy’s head.Leave him. Hurt him like he’s hurting you.
Cullen’s jaw clenched and he immediately turned for the bank of the lake, his shoulders tense and his heart pounding.
The sound drew his attention for a minute, his soul aching for that pure, unblemished heart that would taste so sweet–
He shook the thought away, watching silently from inside Cullen’s mind as he began to dress himself again.
“Hey!”
Cullen jolted at the word, and Leviathan quickly retreated back into Walker’s mind, lest he notice where Leviathan’s attention had been.
“Cullen, where are you going?” Walker called in shock.
Cullen did not stop, his eyes focused on the dark path that led back to the road as he hurried away. Leviathan fought a snicker as Walker scoffed and shook his head.
“He’s kind of a handful.” The girl standing beside him laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Yeah.” Walker sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He gave the girl a smooth smile and shifted a little closer. “I’ll talk to him later. For now, I want to stay with you.”
Something twinged in Leviathan’s chest. Some dull, nonsensical anger. He might have ignored it, might have pretended he’d never felt it at all, had Walker not let his hand shift forward to brush against the girl’s bare hip.
A little jolt of Leviathan’s power shot off into the dark, instantly finding one of the reptilian creatures hidden away under the murky water and giving it a swift order. The creature swam for them, quick as a whip in the current, and sank its teeth into Walker’s ass.
