Page 33 of Celestial Bodies

“That was the most amazing and terrifying thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Dacias shook his head and released a thunderous roar. The sound morphed from lion to human, followed by Dacias’s shift to human form.

He looked at Julen with a mischievous grin before rising to his feet and strolling to Julen.

Dacias wrapped his arms around Julen and said, “I like surprising you. You make the cutest sounds when you’re startled.”

Julen play-punched his chest. “That’s not fair! I can’t do anything that would startle you. I want to hear your sounds.”

Dacias smirked. “I don’t make startled sounds.”

Julen rolled his eyes hard at that. “Oh,please…”

Dacias’s hearty laugh tickled Julen’s belly. He loved hearing Dacias’s deep, bellowing laugh.

“That was incredible. You’re a lion. A. Lion. I should have known.”

Dacias leaned down and pressed his forehead to Julen’s. “Are you kicking yourself for not guessing sooner?”

Julen placed his hands on Dacias’s chest. “I am. It should have been obvious from the start. Still, I can’t believe how beautiful you are as a lion. Almost as beautiful as you are right now.”

Dacias took a deep breath. “Arlo…you’re making me crazy, you know that?”

He inched closer, and the two held each other, swaying in each other’s embrace, dancing to a song that existed only in their heads. Julen looked up at Dacias and said, “You make me so happy, Dacias. So, so, happy.”

“There was a reason why I brought you here.”

Julen cocked his head. “Oh?”

“Mmhm. And you’ll find out in a few moments.”

Julen narrowed his gaze on Dacias. “Is this another crazy surprise? Will you sprout wings next and fly me back to Cupidor? My heart can’t handle more surprises.”

Dacias smiled and shook his head. “Nothing like that, but hopefully, your heart can handle the next reveal…”

As he spoke, the sun began to rise. The cliff opened to a perfect view of the celestial bodies, and Julen gasped at their beauty.

Julen had always been fascinated by the sun and moon passing each other at dawn and dusk. He clutched his chest as he gasped. “Dacias. Oh my…”

Julen felt the heat of Dacias’s warm embrace. He turned to face him, the sun highlighting Dacias’s beautiful blue eyes.

Dacias looked at Julen, running his fingers through his hair as he said, “I’ve always loved seeing this. It’s so romantic. Not many people consider how magnificent it is that they pass each other like this. It’s magical.”

Julen met Dacias’s gaze. “I’ve always thought that. It’s incredible. I used to draw this when I was a boy. It gave me hope.”

“Hope for what?”

Julen gripped Dacias’s arms, trying desperately to control the trembling in his voice. “That I’d find someone. Someday. That I wouldn’t feel so alone.”

Dacias held him tighter. “I told my brother you’re like the moon: beautiful and mysterious, and I only see you at night during our getaways to Cupidor.” He chuckled, looking down at his feet. “ I’m sure I sound like a sap, but that’s how I feel.”

Julen’s heart exploded into a thousand butterflies, taking flight at once. “Kiss me, Dacias…”

He lunged at Dacias, crashing his mouth to his like it was his only source of air.

His heartbeat nearly shattered his chest. Waves of pleasure rippled over him as he felt Dacias’s lips pressed against his.

Self-consciousness took over. This was Julen’s first kiss, and he wanted to be good but alsoneededit. He tried to control his frantic pace, slowing down and allowing the kiss to ebb and flow naturally.

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