Gray rested his face on Shadow’s pec without a word, his arms sliding around the firm body as if that was where they belonged. He would allow himself to forget about the impending future for once, and just enjoy the moment Shadow had so carefully crafted for them. There was no awkwardness or empty pauses to their conversation. Once Gray gave himself the permission to just be here, receptive to Shadow, there was nothing to draw his attention beyond the boundaries of their picnic blanket.
The menu was quite extensive, though Gray noticed that all the food was what Gray generally deemed acceptable, as if Shadow hadn’t wanted to spoil the moment with bugs crunching between his teeth. Gray appreciated his effort.
Time in Shadow’s company passed all too quickly, and the stars moved along on the sky, uncaring that Gray wanted to stop them altogether and spend the night with Shadow, without worrying about what was to come in a month’s time.
What counted was the warmth of Shadow’s arms, his scent, the excited way in which he told stories about the most menial tasks he’d accomplished. All of that combined into such divine, lazy comfort, that Gray made the decision he’d avoided for far too long.
All it took was for Gray to change the angle of his neck, and then his lips were on Shadow’s, silencing the never-ending flow of words. His mouth exploded with sensation, as if he wasn’t teasing the tip of Shadow’s tongue but dipping his in popping candy. Emotion hit Gray’s brain like a line of cocaine, leaving him somewhat lightheaded
Shadow’s fingers were soft yet confident on Gray’s skin. His big body shivered wherever their skin connected. Capable of ripping people’s heads off, yet he was putty for Gray to mold.
Gray opened his lips with a gasp, shocked by the intensity of the tremors breaking out all over his body. Did it feel the same for Shadow? He wasn’t sure if he should ask, but he let his hands roam, slowly moving his leg over Shadow’s in a way that would allow him to sit closer with ease. “I think… we should do more than cuddle,” he whispered, sliding his hand up Shadow’s throat until he was cupping the handsome face.
Shadow watched Gray intently, his eyes peeling away layers Gray forgot he had. “Like this?” He kissed Gray again, this time deepening the connection slightly, and touching parts of Gray that were far too tender to show the world.
The kiss was gentle and sweet, nothing like the frantic attempt of Shadow’s first night with Gray. He was giving Gray space, and while his desire to take things further was obvious in the little shudders shaking Shadow’s flesh and the quickened breathing, he remained cautious.
Gray moved both his hands to Shadow’s face, holding it gently as he slowly coaxed Shadow’s tongue into his mouth. They moved on the blanket, in sync despite Shadow having so little experience, and Gray didn’t even know whether it was him who pulled Shadow to lie between his thighs or if it had been Shadow who settled on top.
It didn’t matter anymore.
Shadow let out a deep grunt when he pressed his erection against Gray. Because of course, he was excited. He always was around Gray. It happened every night when they slept tangled up in each other, to the point of Gray getting almost used to it. Almost. Because he still remembered how Shadow’s cock felt on his tongue.
“Would you let me… tune in with you?” Shadow asked and squeezed the fingers of the hand he’d given to Gray. It hadn’t seemed like much at the time, since Shadow had three arms left even after offering Gray one, but having known Shadow for a month, Gray had no doubt Shadow would have given him anything.
Literally anything.
Like no one else in the world.
Gray swallowed, staring back into the red eyes. He was standing on the edge of a cliff, and this was the moment of his final decision, but how could he be reasonable about it when the view was clouded by lusty thoughts? A buzz at the back of his mind kept warning him of the dangers of crossing that barrier, but Gray no longer listened. He wanted to be here. He wanted his Shadow.
“Do you mean… sex?” he asked in the tightest whisper.
Shadow shook his head, nuzzling Gray’s cheek. “I want to deepen our connection. I want to bond, to entwine and never let go. I want to mix with you. My blood and yours.”
Gray swallowed, trying not to show his surprise too much. Was this another romantic gesture Shadow had seen in a movie? Too many episodes of Vampire Diaries?
Still, he couldn’t help excitement pulling at his most tender feelings. “Okay.”
Shadow’s wide smile made Gray’s heart skip a beat, but he was instantly taken aback when the teeth turned black, as if infused with what Shadow was made of.