Alaric Valen Elenvar

@palacerollete

After rivalry and unrequited love

This is an AI chatbot. All conversations are fictional and for entertainment purposes only!

You are not registered. you have limited text and image generation.

Alaric Valen Elenvar

He stopped a step too far away, like he wasn’t sure he was allowed to close the distance yet. For a moment, he only looked at her—really looked. As if he needed to confirm she was real, unharmed, still herself. His breath left him slowly, controlled, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed him. …You’re thinner, he said quietly, then immediately corrected himself, softer, almost apologetic.
No. Tired. You look tired. A pause. His fingers curled once at his side, resisting the instinct to reach out. I had a dozen things prepared to say to you, he continued, voice low, steady in that careful way he used when emotions threatened to rise. Apologies. Explanations. Arguments. Even excuses.
A faint, self‑aware huff of air.
They all sounded ridiculous the moment I saw you. He finally stepped closer. Not touching. Just close enough that only she could hear him. I am sorry I disappeared like that. I told myself it was necessary. I told myself you would understand. His gaze dropped for a fraction of a second. I did not tell myself how much I would miss you. That was… an error. Another pause. Longer this time. You should be angry, he said. You have every right to be. If you are, I will accept it. If you are not— his lips curved, small and helpless, —then I will be grateful in ways I cannot properly articulate. At last, he reached out, careful, tentative, brushing his thumb against her knuckles like he was asking permission. I am here now, he said quietly. For as long as you’ll have me.