"Stop moving, Lion," Cole ordered. 

But Lionel just couldn't. He had too much going on in his mind for his body to stay still. He was busy imagining the things that lay before him and Cole. To know for sure that their futures were entwined made Lionel's heart feel delightfully light. "Sorry, I'm not good at staying still," Lionel mumbled. 

"I'm not surprised by that," Cole said. Lionel liked the way he smiled as he said those words, and liked even more that he smiled without even looking up from his work. "But you promised I could do this." 

"And I'm here, aren't I? Not like I could go anywhere else right now," Lionel replied. 

"What?" Cole asked, looking up. 

"I don't know. I feel like we're suspended in this...weird fourth dimension where nothing else matters. I don't want to go back to the Pack. I don't even want to let you out of my sight, to be honest," Lionel confessed, then his voice grew quiet, "Sorry if that's weird." 

Cole was still scared, but he'd never been so certain before. He'd always known it, he realized; he loved Lionel and couldn't resist it any longer. He knew that there were things that would make their relationship difficult. It used to feel like the height of the walls between the two of them meant it was better to turn away and settle for what was easy. But now Cole could see what waited for him on the other side. Maybe the height of the walls was only another reason that they had to be knocked down, no matter how hard it would be to do so. 

"Hey," Cole breathed. He found it hard to speak when Lionel was like this. His voice came in a whisper. It was scary to be so honest with someone. There were so many questions that he still had: about himself, about Lionel, about his past and his future. But one thing was terrifyingly certain. 

Cole stood, leaving his drawing half-finished on his chair. He walked over to his bed where Lionel was sitting. It took a bit of bravery and there was a moment of hesitation, but Cole touched a piece of Lionel's wild hair, guiding it away from the tiny scar on his eyebrow. The truth was that Cole felt the same. It was like the two of them were floating in space together, lightyears from the next person, weightless, soaking in the beauty of the endless possibilities around them. "It's not weird," Cole whispered. 

Lionel was instantly on fire under Cole's gaze. There was something so intense about the way Cole looked at the world, and when those eyes were directed at Lionel he felt like he could barely stand it. It made him feel so important, so alive, so amazing. When Cole touched him, he felt that familiar energy buzz through him, like his body was telling him how exciting and perfect his situation was. 

Lionel reached up and took Cole's hand in both of his, bringing it to his chest. He held it close like a child who'd found a pretty shell on the beach, grasping it tightly in his small hand so that he could show it to his parents; in those few moments, Cole's hand was the most precious thing in the world. He stared at it, the tips of his fingers on Cole's slightly graphite-covered skin. 

"I don't want to leave either," Cole said quietly. He tightened his fingers around Lionel's. "But we have to go eventually." There were people and responsibilities waiting for each of them.

"Sh. Don't talk like that. We can stay here forever," Lionel said, his voice light. Without warning, he grabbed Cole tighter and yanked as hard as he could. Cole was a big guy, but Lionel was a lycanthrope. He managed to topple Cole over onto the bed beside him. 

"Lion, what--" Cole started as he fell, but shut up when Lionel's arm snaked across his chest. There was a moment of silence before he said, "I can't draw you like this." 

"Your pencil isn't going anywhere," Lionel said, pulling his body closer to Cole's until they were perfectly pressed together. Lionel rested his chin on Cole's chest. 

Cole smiled softly, "I guess." That soft smile was enough. There was this hush, this sobering moment. Maybe it was a side effect of being in their weird fourth-dimension, but, just for a second, it was like Cole just understood what Lionel was thinking. He was a little nervous, a little vulnerable, and a lot in love. Cole felt it too, and he knew Lionel just wanted to be kissed. 

Cole could manage that. 

He had never experienced easiness in a relationship before. He'd never known what to do. He'd never known how to feel. But with Lionel came a sort of comforting thoughtlessness. They moved toward each other as if there were only one of them, the other only an illusion reflected in a mirror. Cole knew--he knew--that he was merely the reflection. What else could he be when Lionel was as brilliant as he was?

Lionel felt the kiss in the air around him before he felt it on his lips. It was like he was breathing their intimacy, surviving on it, even. And he knew he would. There was something different now. Lionel had changed. His life was inseparable from Cole's now. There was no going back; he would starve away without Cole's lips. 

Lionel almost died when Cole's tongue glided along his lips, wetting them just slightly before their kiss. Cole probably didn't know how sexy he was, but Lionel would make sure he found out...one way or another. 

Cole kissed Lionel gently. The moment was a series of paradoxes. The kiss was slow, but hearts beat quickly. Neither made a sound, but somehow the world felt loud around them. Time stopped moving but seemed to go on forever. 

Lionel shifted over Cole's body to taste his mate better. Cole wasn't even aware of his hands moving to Lionel's hips. He just did what felt right, what he wanted to do. It had been a long time since he'd done that. 

Lionel paused, stealing his lips away. Cole stared up at him, his head pinned between Lionel's arms. Lionel gripped the blanket his palms were flat against in mild frustration. "I have a question I need to ask you. You might not want to answer because it's kind of personal, but I can't stop wondering if-" 

"I'm in love with you, Lionel. I don't care how personal it is," Cole said honestly. Cole, Lionel had learned and would continue to witness, was a very honest person. When he got past his fears, he was strangely, miraculously brave. 

Lionel blinked at the interruption and then smiled widely, sitting up straight. Cole followed suit. "I'm not going to get tired of you saying that."

"I won't get tired of saying it, either," Cole replied. He looked so peaceful, and it set Lionel at ease. "What do you want to ask me?" 

Lionel nodded and took a deep breath, "There are a couple questions actually."

Cole reached out and took Lionel's hand, "Go ahead." 

"Have you always liked men?" Lionel asked. 

Cole blinked as if he were surprised to hear the question, "I don't really know. I don't think so, though. I've dated girls before, but I never really liked them. I found them boring, and I wasn't interested in..." He blushed and Lionel grinned. 

"Sex?" Lionel finished for him. Cole was probably a virgin. Lionel jotted that down in his mental notebook right next to the note that read: Cole = weirdly good kisser...investigate. 

"Yeah," Cole continued. "But I never really looked at guys like that, either. I don't really have an answer, but I don't think it matters to me that much. Not right now. It'll...it'll probably matter to my dad, though." 

Lionel's expression grew worried, "You don't think he'll take it well?" 

"I don't know," Cole said, shaking his head and falling silent. 

Lionel sighed, "I've always sort of known...since I was pretty young. But then again, I suppose I never had to tell my parents." 

Cole sighed, "I'm sorry." 

Lionel shook his head and crawled onto Cole's lap, taking Cole face into his hands, "Don't apologize. And don't worry, either. You'll be ok." 

Cole kissed Lionel's palm, whispering, "I believe it when you say it."

"Good," Lionel said, giving in to his urge to kiss Cole's forehead. His mate's wild brown curls tickled his cheeks, and Lionel smiled. He reached up and ruffled the crazy mop of hair on Cole's head. It was so soft and lively. 

"What are you doing," Cole asked, chuckling. 

"I love your hair," Lionel said, "It's so cute and bouncy and soft." 

"It's cute?" Cole asked, confused. 

"And I love your eyes," Lionel continued, tilting Cole's face up by his chin. He met Cole's eyes and sighed deeply. They really were a dreamy pair of eyes. "I like the way you look at things, especially me." 

Cole was blushing now. "And I love the way you try to hide your smiles, like right now. They're still somehow really beautiful, and every single one just makes me want to see a big, idiotic grin on your face that much more." Lionel sighed and kissed Cole again, "God, I just love you too much for my own good."

"If you keep talking like that, I'll never stop kissing you. You'll never be able to ask me your other question," Cole said. 

"Mm," Lionel mumbled, "Tempting." He bit his lip and leaned forward against Cole's chest. Cole's body rose up to meet him, his strong arms hugging Lionel just tight enough to make him feel safe. It felt natural to circle his arms around Cole's neck and pull him close. 

"I do have to ask you another important question, though," Lionel admitted. 

"Let me kiss you again first," Cole said. 

Lionel nodded, "I was thinking the same thing." 

"Good," Cole breathed as he arched his neck. 

But Lionel couldn't enjoy their kiss as much as he would have liked. He was too worried about the next question. When it finally came time to ask, Lionel knew he would probably ruin the moment. He might shatter the little oasis they'd made for themselves. "Are we keeping this a secret?" 

Cole frowned, "I'm...I don't-" 

"I know you need time before you tell your dad, but what about the Pack? What about Kaia and Kaleb? I'm pretty bad at keeping secrets from him, especially when it's something as big as this. I'm a little bit insane about you and I'm pretty sure he'll find it obvious." 

"I'll tell my dad eventually, but you're right. I can't do it yet. I think I have to adjust. And I definitely have to be the one to tell Kaia, not Kaleb through you," Cole said. He looked like he was thinking deeply. And he was. He was trying to piece together who to tell what when. 

He was trying to imagine how his dad would react to the news that he was in a relationship with a man. Worse, how would he react to the news that he was in a relationship with a lycanthrope? While the man was progressively getting more stable after his breakdown, this might just cause another one. He couldn't have the news of his relationship being taken the same way Kaia's was. He had to protect Lionel. If that meant keeping a secret for a little while, even if that secret was from the people he loved most, so be it. 

Lionel pursed his lips and then nodded, "I won't tell him. I'm a pretty good liar, but not when I'm around Kaleb. He knows me too well."

Cole exhaled in relief. He was a little worried that Lionel would want to tell everyone immediately. But of course, he wouldn't do that. He was too perfect for that. "Thank you," Cole said, smiling slightly. He collapsed back onto the bed. Lionel stayed sitting upright and stared down at him. 

"You'll still come by the Mansion, right? I want to see you. And I can't keep coming here, obviously," Lionel said, "Your dad might see me." He looked worried.

"Hey, come down here," Cole said, reaching out to Lionel. Lionel nodded and crawled down beside him, resting his head on Cole's chest. "I'll be there. And we can also go somewhere else. Don't worry. I want to see you just as much." 

"Impossible, I think," Lionel whispered. 

"Definitely possible," Cole whispered back. Cole closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel of having Lionel so close. Lionel grinned a little to himself and deviously tucked his hand under Cole's shirt. Cole tensed, opening his eyes, "What are you doing?" 

"You get to draw me, I get to touch you," Lionel said. His hand slowed, "Cole, why are you so muscled?" The muscles made him look so much older than he actually was, plus the scruffy stubble and the messy long curls. Not that Lionel was complaining, or anything. 

Lionel felt those same muscles flex as Cole laughed slightly. Cole wrapped an arm around Lionel and pulled him closer. "I mean, I work out?" Cole answered, "Figured that was obvious." 

"Yeah, but why? Did you start because you were a Hunter?" Lionel asked, looking up at Cole. 

"I mean, a little bit. But more it was for me. It clears my head. My dad...pisses me off sometimes. But he's my dad, so I never really argue with him. I don't want him to hate me, I guess. So I just work out instead. It helps me get rid of the frustration," Cole said, staring at the ceiling. 

Lionel squeezed Cole tighter, "While I'm not a fan of the reason, I don't mind the result." A moment of silence passed. "I kind of want to rip all of your clothes off right now." 

Cole's eyes went wide in surprise before he fell apart. Cole laughed, a loud, infectious, genuine sound that had Lionel laughing, too. Lionel could hear it resounding in his chest. "I'm not stopping you," Cole said. 

"Yeah, I know. But one of us has to have a little self-restraint," Lionel said. He sighed and closed his eyes, listening to Cole's heartbeat. The sound somehow made the world feel distant. It was the sort of sound that sobers you, that brings about a higher degree of awareness. The sound was so faint, so why was it Lionel that felt small like a speck in the universe? 

Real love had always felt so remote to Lionel. He knew it existed, believed in it; he'd seen it in his parents. But...he never thought he'd be able to have it. He could hope, but that was just about it. But not any longer. He listened to Cole's heart and heard a thousand of his wishes being granted, a thousand promises held. 

"I can hear your heart," Lionel said quietly. Cole wondered if Lionel could hear echoes of himself in each heartbeat. 

"I wonder if it'll go faster if I do this," Lionel said moments before reaching up and tickling Cole. Lionel wasn't sure what he was expecting, but it definitely wasn't the spastic shouting Cole that greeted him. Cole was ticklish, probably more than Lionel had ever seen. It just didn't seem like something Cole could be, not even in an alternate reality. "You're ticklish?" Lionel asked, shocked. 

Cole frowned from the other side of the bed where he'd ended up after rocketing away at record speed, his breath quicker than usual, "No." 

"Liar," Lionel said, creeping closer across the bed. 

"Get away from me," Cole said, "Pretend you never saw that." 

"I'll make good use of this discovery, Cole. I promise," Lionel said, wiggling his fingers and grinning. 

"Lion, please," Cole begged, his eyes desperate, "I'm serious, don't." 

But Lionel didn't listen. He lunged. Cole tried to squirm away, but Lionel's lycanthrope muscles helped him keep a good hold on his mate. Still, Cole's dramatic attempts to escape resulted in the two of them tumbling off of the bed onto the floor. Promptly, Cole was reduced into a wriggling mess of a human. "Please, oh my god," Cole begged, "Lion!" Lionel had imagined Cole yelling that before, but it was very different in Lionel's mind. Still, this was good. Cole was smiling. Actually...

Lionel stopped the tickle assault and Cole collapsed in relief on the floor. Lionel stared happily, "There's the big grin I've been waiting for." 

And it didn't go away. Cole's eyes did this adorable squinting thing when he smiled all the way. It transformed his entire face and made him look like a little kid who'd just been given a popsicle. Cole was breathing hard and there were tears in his eyes, "You're evil." 

"Yeah, well you knew what you signed up for. That was revenge for your almost leaving me," Lionel said, leaning against the mattress behind him. Cole sat up slowly. 

"Won't happen again," Cole promised, "Come on, let me finish drawing you." 

Lionel nodded, "A promise is a promise."

Short, but hope you enjoyed. Sorry for the wait, (I'm working on the next chapter of His Rebel so keep an eye out). Leave me a comment and a star! Much love. ~M