He sighs, and leans against my shoulder. I can't believe it!
"This is so uncool..." he grumbles.
"Oh, this is so cute..."
He suddenly bites my shoulder, making me grimace.
"Hey!"
"You started it... you cheat."
"Well, it's not my fault you're so cute..."
"You'll see if I'm cute," he retorts with a pout, suddenly lifting me up.
"What are you doing?!" I protest.
"Your turn now, and I'm not stopping until you come too."
"Oh, Moon Goddess, Liam!"
But it's too late to cry wolf. He starts moving again before I can do anything, and by some Dark Magic, my body sensations pick up right where they left off, taking me with him in a new, dangerous, but so exciting dance...
Half an hour later, I'm pruny, exhausted, and definitely clean. I quickly put on a T-shirt and some shorts from my wardrobe, while Liam is moving around the kitchen in some jeans he borrowed from Ben's stuff he had left here. I'm probably never going to allow him to wear a T-shirt ever again at this rate.
"Cheeseburger and Mara for breakfast," he chuckles. "My new favorite."
"I was already sore," I sigh, sitting down on the floor. "Now I can barely walk without looking like a duck..."
"You're a cute duck."
"Thanks..."
He smiles like the devil and comes to sit behind me, the two of us facing the bay window. We're eating on the floor just so we can enjoy the full might of the sunrise, and also because I can't stand right now. We silently dive into those cheeseburgers, a strange mix with the cold coffees, but not too bad for our empty stomachs...
For a few minutes, there's nothing but some chewing and licking mayonnaise off each other's lips playfully. We're too tired for words, and I'm happy to lean my back against his torso, in my favorite seat. I'm on my second cheeseburger when Liam kisses my shoulder gently.
"Mara..."
"Hm?"
"What happened to me?"
I slowly finish chewing, feeling a weight go down my stomach. I knew I wouldn't be able to avoid it, but it's... hard.
"...Did your brothers say anything?"
"They said I should ask you."
I swallow, and let out a long sigh before turning around to face him. He gently smiles at me, caressing my cheek.
"Babe, don't worry. Whatever it is, I'm strong enough to take it. I have a bit of an idea too."
"...You died," I finally let out. "You died, and I..."
I can't put it into words. It's... hard. Not just to tell Liam the truth, but to relive what happened. After a second, I decide to do things differently. I take another deep breath, and lean my forehead against his, taking his hand. I look for the right way to do this, not using magic, but our deep bond, our mind-link.
I show him everything. I quickly pass on his actual death, but I show him all that happened with Luna, what I learned and the choices I had to make. I feel his fingers tighten around mine, but I keep focusing on that intense moment between us. I give him everything, all of my feelings, all of my suffering too, and the relief when he came back. After a few seconds, it's over already. I slowly pull back, a bit torn inside. Liam reopens his eyes.
