I Carry a Torch for You

Chapter 6

I wake up the next morning in Leo's arms, lying on the couch all cuddled next to him. I blush, not knowing if I should get up. A stack of cards lie on the table, we must've fell asleep while playing again. He's taught me a lot of games. Minute maid, black jack, even other types like marbles or snakes and ladders. It's honestly a lot of fun, these games. I find myself having more fun with this compared to Call of Duty or Minecraft.

Leo breathes peacefully, his curls flopped over his eyes. He wears a tank top and shorts as his pajamas, his mouth open ever so slightly with a hint of drool. My longer blonde hair flops into place, still a tangled mess. My blue eyes look into his closed eyes as I watch him sleep. My head has to tilt back so I can see him, since his arms are wrapped around my chest.

Eventually, his eyes flutter open and he notices my gaze. A blush creeps up, causing me to laugh. Ugh! I just want to kiss his prominent nose! Or his cheek! Or even better, his lip- Ah! I jump away from my horrible thoughts, he may be gay but he doesn't want to do THAT with ME!

"Everything ok?" Leo asks me.

"Yes!" I say a little too fast.

"Come on! Talk to me!" He leans over, his nose inches from mine.

"Well, um-" I can't just tell him what I was thinking, can I? Then he'll be thinking "I gave up Heaven for this weirdo?" Which WOULD NOT be good. I lean back as far as possibly, but he's still too close for comfort. His brown eyes curiously looking into my blue ones with a twinkle. I take a deep breath, knowing he won't leave me alone till I spit it out. "I- I know you gave up Heaven for me, which makes me feel so bad because you shouldn't do that for someone like me, and I'm sorry but this might ruin things between us but, well, I want to kiss your nose-" I smile, all my teeth showing, hoping that'll help.

He stares at me with furrowed brows, his mouth twitching.

"I- I'm sorry! It was stupid! Please forget I said anything!" I say, my face red as ever.

"Well if you wanna do something, don't let me stop you," He tells me with a blush.

Embarrassed and confused, I lean up and touch my lips to his darker nose. I shoot back with wide eyes, not knowing what he'll do next.

He looks down at my lips, his eyes slightly closed, before slowly leaning over. He looks into my wide eyes for approval, then his lips touch my own. I let him, and he holds it there, not going too far but not being too easy on me. He gives me just enough before leaning back to see my reaction with a nervous expression. "I carry a torch for you," Leo tells me. "Liam Jackson, I love you."

"I love you too," I whisper. "You're the cats in pajamas."

He laughs, "Say, isn't it February first?"

"Mhm."

He smiles giddily, "This is the best birthday ever!"

"What?" I shout, sitting up. Which causes him to fall backward onto the cushions.

"Yup, February first nineteen fourteen! That is my birthday!"

"Which makes you like two hundred years old!" I laugh.

"One hundred and seven years young for your information! And I haven't even aged!"

I laugh, causing him to laugh. I fall onto his chest, my forehead touching his. "You're the cat's meow!"

"I see you've been doing your research, sweetheart."

I kiss him on the lips, too enchanted by his name for me. I lay on his chest, "Happy birthday," I mumble. "Sorry I didn't get you a gift, I'll make you a cake."

"With your baking skills? No way, you can make me another ribbon sandwich," He laughs, causing me to join even if he's making fun of me.

"Say, why don't we do this with more people like you did with me?"

"Kiss them?"

"No! I mean help them. Explain what's going on. Help them figure out how to get where they want and everything. You know, right? At least until Zeus helps us."

"Liam?"

"Hm?"

"You're an amazing person, you know that?"

I shrug, not knowing if it's true.

He grabs my cheek, rubbing it softy. If I was a cat, I'd be purring. "You're an amazing person, and I think that's a great thing you want to do. So, let's do that." He smiles with a nod, causing me to smile.

I snuggle close to him, "I love you, baby."

"I love you too, sweetheart." He rubs my hair, and eventually we both fall asleep to the rhythmic sound of our breathing.