10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Tolly

T olly was succeeding and it had only been a couple of days. He had until the next full moon to complete the pact, but the night he saved Leigh had been some days after the last full moon. Tolly could feel the time he had left almost like a ticking clock in his head.

Twenty-four days and counting. It had to be enough.

Trust and companionship had come easily between them, but Tolly needed more—he needed a true vow of love to stay with Leigh forever. It was no secret that Leigh desired him. Tolly could feel his gaze on him when Leigh thought he was not paying attention. He could feel Leigh's desire in their connection, too, a spike of heat, of affection, but despite the lingering gazes at Tolly standing in his underwear at the edge of the bed that night, Leigh simply crawled under the covers and made no move to touch him or draw him close.

Should Tolly make a move instead? He wanted to but feared scaring Leigh away if he pushed too much too fast. He had to be calculating and patient.

That was difficult, however, when he could hear the steady beat of Leigh's heart pounding so close to him, and when a mere glance afforded him the most gorgeous sight. Leigh's expression while asleep was young and smooth and unencumbered. Tolly wanted to keep that sort of peace on his face always.

Peace was difficult as well, it seemed, because Tolly woke the next morning to muffled whimpers and rustling of the sheets. He had burrowed down in his sleep again, curled up beneath the covers, but when he crawled up into the light, he found Leigh still asleep, gripping the sheets in clenched fists like he was having a nightmare.

Merfolk did not dream. Perhaps that was why Tolly sought movies and other storytelling so often, because he had so few outlets to escape reality. He did not want Leigh to have nightmares. Dreams should be sweet.

"Shh," he hushed him, crawling closer, bold enough to allow the lines of their bodies to become flush as he stroked a hand down Leigh's cheek. "You are safe. Nothing can harm you while I am here. Be calm." He hummed a quiet tune meant to soothe, and his magic entered Leigh with a relaxed sigh.

Tolly smiled. He should have rolled away then, given Leigh space, but it felt good to be in contact with him, to touch his cheek and watch his face as his eyes blinked open to reveal that deep yet icy blue like an arctic ocean.

For a moment, Tolly worried Leigh would pull away, but he understood that it had been Tolly who chased off his nightmares. Leigh had been so scared, like a shock of dread in Tolly's chest through their connection. Now he was content and grateful for Tolly's song.

He lifted a hand to place over Tolly's on his cheek, and Tolly felt that spike of heat again, of affection, of arousal . He could not deny how affected he was by it, drawn to Leigh because of their proximity and the surge of adrenaline still strong from the terrors in his dreams.

Tolly wondered what the dreams were about, but he was far more interested in the bow of Leigh's lips.

He kissed him, a simple press like they had shared in the water, and Leigh's hand moved to his wrist to squeeze in encouragement as he deepened the kiss with a subtle opening of his mouth.

Leigh's tongue felt wonderful against Tolly's. He wanted to get closer and rolled on top of Leigh to straddle his hips, kissing back deeper still. Tolly wanted more and wanted it now with a hunger he did not think anything else could satisfy.