He's a Mess of a Man

Book One ~ Chapter Six

"I could've sworn we retraced our exact steps!" said Leviathan as the two left the overgrown graveyard and realized they were at an unfamiliar intersection. This time, he picked the path leading right. Lucio kept shooting glances at him. "What is it?"

"Your lips are turning blue." He ran his thumb over Leviathan's bottom lip. He was so chilly that he could barely feel Lucio's touch. He pulled the shivering magician closer to himself, "Let's walk faster. It'll keep us both warm." He slid an arm around Leviathan's shoulders, holding him at his side, "Also tuck in your arms and hands. Keep your fingers from freezing," Lucio explained as the two started walking at a brisk pace.

"You don't seem bothered by the cold..."

Lucio sighed, "I don't like it, but I know how to cope with it." Their footsteps echoed loudly off the stone. Leviathan was struggling trying to put one foot in front of the other. Eventually, they came across the same graveyard, with the two ominous graves. But this time, two shadowy wolves prowled the perimeter, saliva dripping from their maws. "Oh, to hell with this," said Lucio as he turned on his heel and marched off.

Leviathan rushed after him, "Lucio, don't walk off so fast! If we get split up, I don't know what would happen." The howling seemed to follow them long after they left the graveyard.

"So, we have a graveyard to our left. A graveyard with wolves if we go right." Lucio slumped against the wall with a deep sigh, "I'm out of ideas. And you look like... well, you look exhausted. Let's stop and rest for a bit." Leviathan nodded. The two sat down against a patch of wall covered in dying vines. Once Leviathan was no longer on his feet, a wave of somnolence washed over him. "You okay?" Lucio asked as he tried to keep Leviathan from slumping over.

He nodded, "Yes... just... really tired." Leviathan's eyelids started drooping.

"Woah, don't fall over. That's no good," Lucio said as he steadied Leviathan, propping him up against the wall, and sat beside him. "There. That's better! I guess I can keep watch while you sleep."

"Aren't you tired..?"

"No," Lucio shook his head, "And even if I was, I'm too jittery to sleep." He moved closer and Leviathan rested his head on his shoulder.

"You feel... so warm..." Leviathan mumbled as he shifted closer, pressing his nose against Lucio's neck to keep warm.

Lucio yelped, "You are freezing!"

"Sorry..." Leviathan started to pull away, but Lucio held him firmly to his side.

"Where do you think you're going? Let's try something." He tried to wrap his cape around Leviathan, but it was much too small to contain the both of them. The fur trim barely made it to his shoulder. "Hmph. I need a bigger cape. Hey, magic maze, can you make my cape bigger?" Lucio asked. And predictably, nothing happened. "I guess I could put some extra layers on you. But then I'd be freezing."

A sleep-addled idea came to Leviathan, "A magic cape might not be forthcoming... but magic itself is worth a try."

"But look at you, you're exhausted!"

Leviathan nodded, "Yes... But I want to try something. Hold out your hand, please."

"Like this?" Lucio extended his golden hand and Leviathan grasped his fingers tightly. He felt the thrum of magic in his arm. Focusing on that strangely familiar sensation, he drew it forward, guiding it with his own magic. The air grew warm around the two, a soft cacoon as cozy and secure as if you had wrapped yourself in a blanket and were sat before a hearth, "Oh, that feels just like sinking into a hot bath after a long day." Lucio smiled, "Won't this go away once you're asleep?"