“And I suppose that makes me a target,” he said quietly, “for other demons?”
Leviathan smiled. “An unfortunate con to a Prince of Hell being enamored with you, I’m afraid.” He brushed his lips along his jaw. Cullen’s throat moved in a hard swallow, his hands fluttering to his sides. “If you stay with me, you will be safe.”
“And if I don’t?” He asked shakily.
Leviathan made a soft, noncommittal sound and took his face into his hands, his lips coming down on his. “It’s not something you’ll ever have to worry about.”
44
The days passed. Passed in a flurry of exotic outings and the hot press of skin against skin, mouths locked together and the taste and scent of them mixing until Cullen could no longer separate them at all, no longer remember what he even smelled like. It didn’t concern him as much as it might once have.
And the next time they emerged from their hellish realm, Cullen was startled to see that the human town they walked into was decorated in white and rainbow lights. Red and green decorations lined each business they passed, and the scent of chocolate was strong in the air, courtesy of the vendors lined along the streets, most of them selling candy or various cups of steaming cocoa.
“It’s Christmas.” He whispered, feeling as if somebody had punched him in the chest.
“Fucking hell.” Leviathan hissed, wrapping his arms tightly around his chest. They’d both worn nothing more than light jackets to come out tonight. “I hate this damnseason.”
Cullen tsked. “This is the best time of the year.”
“It is not!” He objected, reaching for his wrist. “It’s cold and icy and snow is so sparkly it makes me cringe.” His fingers curled around his wrist. “Let’s go home. We’ll come back when it's warm again–”
Cullen pulled away from him with a small frown, irritation making the movement harsher than he’d meant it. But–
“Walker didn’t like Christmas either.” He said quietly. Leviathan’s gaze went tight with displeasure. Cullen stared expectantly back at him, his face pinched unhappily. He hadn’t meant the words to hit something so deep–but they had. For both of them.
Slowly, rage flickering in his eyes, Leviathan smiled and took his hand. “We can stay for a while, I guess.” He grimaced down at his own chest. “Different clothes will be necessary though.” He snapped his fingers and Cullen felt the familiar brush of fabric against his skin. A twitch of surprise escaped him when he saw the long, dark frock coat that was now draped around his shoulders.
“Oh.” He burst out in shock, his face reddening as he glanced towards the mouth of the alley, where people teemed along the busy street. “This is very…vintage.”
“You don’t like it?”
His blush deepened. “It’s not that I–” He broke off, his eyes widening as he watched Leviathan adjust his own coat, a dark gray fabric that hung to his thighs, the lapels folded neatly and the front of it buttoned tight, showing his thick frame and tight waist.
“Cullen?”
He jerked, his eyes going back up to his face. “What?”
Leviathan smiled. “You were saying you don’t like the coats?”
“No, I…” He sucked in a breath and shifted a bit to calm his body. “I like them. You look…” He swallowed hard. “Wow.”
Leviathan chuckled and took his hand. The gloves that separated their skin irritated him. “You look amazing as well, my love.”
Cullen doubted he looked that good, but he took the compliment anyway, smiling sheepishly before turning for the exit of the alley, his hand tight on Leviathan’s.
They’d hardly made it out of the alley before Cullen drew him towards a vendor, a smile spreading across his face as he took in the small hot chocolate bombs the woman was selling. Leviathan handed money over to him without a word and Cullen was quick to buy two of the little bombs, tucking them away into the deep pockets of his coat. From the corner of his eye, he saw Leviathan shiver and grimace, as if the cold really was bothering him, though Cullen thought it was quite warm in this teeming crowd. He found himself smirking in response, remembering how hard it had been for his body to adjust to that smoky realm of fire in the beginning. Let the bastard suffer a little bit.
They moved on, Cullen pausing at a few other stands, buying everything from a gingerbread man keychain–grinning wickedly at the horrified look Leviathan gave him when he plopped it into his hand–to a large pack of chocolate candy canes that Leviathan grimaced at once before flicking his fingers at it. The box vanished. After a long moment of glaring, Leviathan rolled his eyes and promised him it waswaiting in their bedroom back home. Cullen smiled and moved on, not stopping again until he found a stand selling hot chocolate. He bought two cups and offered one to Leviathan with a proud smile.
He eyed the drink suspiciously before taking it, bringing it to his nose for a small sniff. He made a face.
“Haven’t you ever had hot cocoa?” Cullen demanded.
“No.” He muttered, lowering the cup. “I’ve been locked away for the last few hundred years, remember? And anything I could taste through their senses was…dull. Almost flavorless.”
Cullen smiled softly and pushed his finger to the bottom of the styrofoam cup, raising it back up to his mouth. “Try it.”
Grimacing, Leviathan took a small sip. His eyes popped wide.
