Crimson Hearts

Chapter 2: A Chance Encounter 

The moment hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. Alaric knew he should look away, pretend he hadn’t noticed the human in the café, but something about him was… different. He exuded confidence, yet there was an air of mystery that Alaric couldn’t ignore. 

“Still staring?” Matthias teased, nudging him playfully. 

Alaric shot him a glare. “I am not staring.” 

“Sure you aren’t,” Nix added, smirking. “But hey, maybe fate’s giving you a little push.” 

Before Alaric could protest, Matthias was already dragging him toward the café, much to his horror. 

The small bell above the door jingled as they stepped inside, the scent of fresh coffee and baked goods filling the air. Alaric stiffened, feeling the warmth of the human world contrast sharply with his cold skin. He was used to blending in, but right now, he felt oddly exposed. 

Alistair hadn’t noticed them yet. He was still reading, his fingers absently tracing the rim of his coffee cup. Alaric felt his heartbeat quicken—a rare occurrence for a vampire. 

Matthias, ever the social butterfly, didn’t hesitate. He strolled right up to the counter, ordering drinks for everyone, while Nix and Luke took a seat at a nearby table. Alaric, however, remained frozen in place, his gaze still flickering to the human he had no reason to be so intrigued by. 

Alistair finally looked up, meeting Alaric’s eyes. For a brief second, the world around them seemed to pause. It wasn’t a look of recognition—of course, it couldn’t be. But there was something there. Something unreadable. 

“You’re staring,” Alistair said, raising an eyebrow. 

Alaric blinked, snapping out of whatever trance he had fallen into. “I—no, I wasn’t.” 

Alistair smirked. “Right. Because I’m the only lawyer in the world interesting enough to make someone freeze in place.” 

Matthias, who had returned with drinks, let out a loud laugh. “Oh, I like this guy already.” 

Alaric groaned internally. He wanted to disappear. 

“Here, have some coffee,” Matthias said, shoving a cup into Alaric’s hands before plopping down next to Nix. “And introduce yourself, dude. You’re being awkward.” 

Alaric hesitated for a moment before sighing. “Kaelen Alaric Ackerman.” 

Alistair tilted his head, his smirk softening into something more amused than teasing. “A mouthful of a name. Fancy.” 

Alaric huffed, sitting down across from him. “Just call me Alaric.” 

Alistair nodded. “Alistair Jaeger. Though most people call me Yuri.” 

Alaric took a sip of his coffee, mostly to give himself a moment to gather his thoughts. This was new—he never had trouble conversing with humans before, but Alistair felt… different. Too different. 

“So, what do you do, Alaric?” Alistair asked, setting his book down. 

“I’m a photographer,” Alaric replied, falling into the comfort of a rehearsed truth. 

Alistair’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s cool. Do you do portraits or landscapes?” 

“Both,” Alaric said. “But I prefer nature photography.” 

Alistair nodded approvingly. “Sounds peaceful.” 

“It is,” Alaric admitted. 

Matthias leaned forward, smirking. “And what about you, Mr. Jaeger? What kind of law do you practice?” 

Alistair leaned back in his chair, swirling his coffee absentmindedly. “Corporate law, mostly. But I take on pro bono cases when I can.” 

Alaric found himself curious. “Pro bono?” 

“Yeah. Helping people who can’t afford legal representation.” 

That was… admirable. Not what Alaric had expected. He had assumed Alistair was just another career-driven human, climbing the ranks without looking back. But there was depth there, a genuine kindness he hadn’t anticipated. 

“Why law?” Alaric asked before he could stop himself. 

Alistair grinned. “Well, I was a troublemaker as a kid. Got into fights, broke some rules. A lawyer once helped me turn my life around, so I figured—why not return the favor?” 

Alaric studied him, sensing the truth behind his words. He liked honesty. In a world where deception was second nature, honesty was rare. And Alistair… was honest. 

“So, what’s the real story?” Alistair suddenly asked, breaking Alaric’s train of thought. 

“What?” 

Alistair leaned forward, his eyes narrowing playfully. “You seem too polished. Too controlled. What’s your story?” 

Alaric hesitated, feeling the weight of centuries on his shoulders. The real story? That he was a vampire prince exiled to the human world? That he had spent decades pretending to be normal? That he wasn’t supposed to feel drawn to a human? 

But instead, he simply said, “I just like my peace.” 

Alistair chuckled. “A man of mystery. I respect that.” 

Matthias clapped his hands together. “Well, I’d say this is a successful social interaction. Look at you, Alaric, making human friends.” 

Alaric rolled his eyes. “Shut up, Mat.” 

Alistair laughed. “You guys are something else.” 

Something about his laughter made Alaric feel something he hadn’t in a long time. 

Maybe, just maybe, he didn’t mind his peaceful life being disrupted after all.