Chapter 5: Unraveling Threads - Crimson Hearts

Alaric had lived over a century, but never had he found himself so entangled in the affairs of a human. And yet, despite his best efforts to maintain distance, he kept running into Alistair.

It was frustrating.

It was confusing.

And, above all, it was dangerous.

---

Alistair leaned against the bookshelf, arms crossed as he studied Alaric. "You never answered my question."

Alaric sighed, feigning indifference. "Which one? You ask too many."

"What are you afraid of?" Alistair repeated, his sharp gaze unwavering.

Alaric considered lying. It would be easier. Safer. But something about Alistair's presence, the way he looked at him like he already saw through his walls, made deception feel pointless.

"I don’t fear anything," Alaric said at last. "I simply know when to be cautious."

Alistair hummed, clearly unconvinced. "Cautious? About what?"

"About people like you."

Alistair raised a brow, an amused glint in his eyes. "People like me? Lawyers? Or just humans in general?"

Alaric didn't respond. Instead, he turned his attention back to the book in his hands. But he could feel Alistair's eyes on him, watching, waiting.

"You’re not going to answer, are you?" Alistair asked.

Alaric smirked slightly. "You ask too many questions."

"And you avoid too many of them," Alistair countered.

The banter between them was becoming a pattern. A dangerous one. Because with each conversation, Alistair was peeling back layers Alaric had spent decades perfecting.

And he wasn’t sure if he liked it.

---

That night, Alaric found himself pacing in his apartment. Historia sat on the couch, watching him with an exasperated look.

"Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or should I guess?" she asked.

Alaric ran a hand through his hair. "It’s that human. Alistair."

Historia smirked. "Ah. So you admit it now."

He shot her a look, but she only grinned. "What about him?"

"He’s… persistent," Alaric admitted, sitting down across from her. "And I keep running into him."

Historia tilted her head. "Maybe it’s not just coincidence."

Alaric scoffed. "Don’t tell me you believe in fate now."

She shrugged. "I believe that sometimes, things happen for a reason. And maybe this human is meant to be in your life for something bigger than just coincidence."

Alaric leaned back, sighing. "Even if that were true, it doesn’t change the fact that he’s human."

Historia’s smile faded slightly. "And that’s what scares you the most, isn’t it?"

Alaric didn’t answer.

He didn’t have to.

---

The next day, Alaric found himself standing outside the café again. He hadn’t planned on coming, but his feet had taken him there anyway.

And, of course, Alistair was there.

The moment their eyes met, Alistair smirked. "If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re following me."

Alaric sighed. "Pure coincidence."

Alistair chuckled. "You don’t believe in coincidences, remember?"

Damn. He walked right into that one.

Instead of replying, Alaric simply took a seat. Alistair raised a brow but didn’t comment. Instead, he pushed an extra cup of coffee toward him.

"I took a wild guess," Alistair said. "Black, no sugar."

Alaric hesitated before accepting it. "You pay too much attention."

Alistair grinned. "Maybe. Or maybe you’re just easy to read."

Alaric scoffed, but a small smile tugged at his lips.

---

Hours passed before Alaric realized how long they had been talking. The conversation flowed with ease, neither of them forcing anything. They spoke about books, about music, about life in the city.

Alistair laughed easily, spoke without hesitation. Alaric found himself drawn to it, to the way Alistair viewed the world so differently from him.

For the first time in years, he felt... normal.

But normal wasn’t an option.

As the sun began to set, Alistair stretched and leaned back in his chair. "Well, this has been fun. Didn’t think I’d spend my afternoon talking to the most mysterious guy I’ve ever met."

Alaric smirked. "I’m sure you’ve had worse company."

"Maybe," Alistair teased. "But none as interesting."

Alaric didn’t know how to respond to that. So he didn’t.

Instead, he stood up. "I should go."

Alistair nodded, but there was something unreadable in his gaze. "Yeah. See you around, Kaelen."

Alaric hesitated for just a moment before turning away.

As he walked down the dimly lit streets, one thought echoed in his mind.

He was in trouble.