Crimson Bonds

Chapter 51: Fractured Trust

Babe stood at the edge of the council chamber, his mind swirling as voices around him grew louder and more fractured. The supernatural leaders, once a united front against the growing threat of the Leviathans, were now falling apart. Whispers of manipulation and betrayal echoed in every corner, and it was becoming harder to tell who was still loyal and who had already fallen under the Leviathans' dark influence.

Billy leaned against the wall nearby, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the room with quiet intensity. He, too, could feel the tension in the air, the shift in allegiances. They had already witnessed one betrayal, and Babe feared there would be more.

"Are you okay?" Billy's voice broke through the noise, pulling Babe from his thoughts.

Babe nodded but couldn't hide the tightness in his chest. "I just... I thought we could trust them," he said, his voice low. "How did it come to this?"

Billy uncrossed his arms, walking over to stand beside him. "The Leviathans are making their move. They're sowing chaos, dividing us. It's what they do." He glanced at the leaders still arguing across the room. "We can't trust anyone right now, except each other."

Babe swallowed hard, the weight of that truth settling on him. He had tried so hard to lead, to be the one to unite everyone, but the growing pressure of his role and the looming presence of the Leviathans felt like too much. His magic, which had once felt like a part of him, now seemed like something he was constantly fighting to control.

His eyes flickered to Billy, searching for reassurance. "What if... what if I can't do this?" he asked, his voice quieter now. "What if my powers-what if I lose control again?"

Billy reached out, cupping Babe's face in his hands, his eyes locking with Babe's in a way that made everything else in the room fade to the background. "You can do this, Babe," he said firmly. "I've seen you control your magic when it mattered most. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

The sincerity in Billy's words stirred something in Babe. He took a deep breath, letting Billy's confidence in him wash away some of the doubt gnawing at him.

But before Babe could respond, one of the Council members-their former ally, Elara-stepped forward, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade. "We cannot afford to waste any more time," she declared, her tone sharp. "The Leviathans are a threat we've never faced before, and we need decisive action. I propose we prioritize strengthening our defenses, even if it means... sacrifices."

Babe's stomach twisted. He had trusted Elara-respected her even-but now her words felt wrong, too cold, too calculating. Something was off. He could feel it.

Billy tensed beside him. "She's not herself," he whispered to Babe. "The Leviathans have gotten to her."

Babe's heart sank as he realized what Billy meant. Elara's once firm but fair demeanor had shifted-she was being manipulated, her mind clouded by the Leviathans' influence. She wasn't the first Council member to fall, and she wouldn't be the last.

As Elara continued to speak, rallying other members to her side, Babe felt a surge of anger. He couldn't stand by and let the Leviathans corrupt everything-he wouldn't let them tear apart the supernatural world from the inside. But as he stepped forward to intervene, Billy placed a hand on his arm, stopping him.

"We need to be careful," Billy warned softly. "If we push too hard now, we'll be outnumbered. We can't risk showing our hand until we know who's still on our side."

Babe exhaled, trying to rein in the urge to confront Elara then and there. Billy was right-charging in without a plan would only make things worse.

The room felt like it was closing in on him. They had fought so hard to keep the Leviathans at bay, but now it felt like the fight was turning inward, and they were losing allies by the day.

With a heavy sigh, Babe stepped back, his resolve hardening. They couldn't rely on the Council anymore. It was time to act on their own.

"We're going to have to take matters into our own hands," Babe said quietly to Billy, his voice firm. "No more waiting on the Council. We need to find out who we can trust and deal with this ourselves."

Billy's gaze softened as he looked at Babe, a quiet pride shining in his eyes. "That's the leader I know," he said with a smirk. "We'll figure it out, just like we always do."

Babe felt a surge of warmth at Billy's words, his tension easing ever so slightly. In the midst of all the chaos, Billy was his constant-a steady force that kept him grounded when everything else felt like it was spiraling out of control.

Later that night, after the council meeting had ended and the halls had grown silent, Babe and Billy found themselves in the quiet sanctuary of their private quarters. Exhaustion weighed heavily on both of them, but there was a sense of calm now that they were alone, away from the fractured council and the mounting threats.

Babe sat on the edge of the bed, his mind still racing with thoughts of betrayal, of how they could possibly face everything coming their way. But before the weight of those thoughts could fully settle, Billy appeared in front of him, a playful glint in his eyes.

"You're thinking too much again," Billy teased, sliding his hands onto Babe's shoulders and gently pushing him back onto the bed.

Babe raised an eyebrow, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I can't help it," he said, though his tone had softened. "There's just... a lot going on."

Billy leaned in, his lips brushing against Babe's ear. "That's why I'm here, Tofu," he whispered, the playful nickname bringing a warmth to the moment. "To remind you to take a break every once in a while."

Babe rolled his eyes but couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face. "And what do you suggest, Mumu?" he asked, his voice teasing but filled with affection.

Billy's smirk widened as he leaned down, capturing Babe's lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. The world outside melted away, and for a moment, there was no Council, no Leviathans, no looming danger. It was just the two of them, wrapped up in each other's warmth, finding solace in their connection.

As their kiss deepened, Billy's hands moved over Babe's body with familiar ease, grounding them both in the intimacy of the moment. It was a reminder of the strength they shared, of the bond that had carried them through every challenge, every betrayal, and would carry them through the battles to come.

Babe sighed softly as he pulled Billy closer, his hands tangling in Billy's hair. "You always know how to distract me," he whispered, his voice filled with affection.

Billy grinned against his lips. "That's what I'm here for."

For the rest of the night, they let themselves forget the chaos outside their door. In each other's arms, they found the comfort they needed, their whispered nicknames filling the room as they reaffirmed their bond in a quiet, intimate exchange.

But even in their most vulnerable moments, Babe knew that the real fight was only just beginning.