Chapter Text
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Alexi expected this human to amuse him to an extent, but he did not expect to enjoy the man’s company this much. Albeit still cautious, he was able to get him talking. This human—Riley—he found out later, was charming, interesting. Alexi wonders if that’s how he’s kept his side-hobbies quiet all this time.
Riley, so far, has been a rollercoaster of a man to say the least. A cold-blooded killer when they first met, still calculating and cautious the second time round, nervous and demure the next, and now Alexi thinks the man could thaw his frozen heart just a tiny bit.
As he sits there, getting more intrigued and amused by the minute, Alexi wonders when he last enjoyed himself like this. Simply speaking and getting to know another person. In all his years, all the countries he's been to, all the people and creatures he’s met, rarely could he say he’s been comfortable like this. Maybe it’s because he’s still acclimating, maybe it’s because he’s an idiot, maybe he’s let his guard down, or maybe, just maybe , he’s making a connection.
It was the little things, like how Riley taps his finger on the table incessantly, how his gums show when he smiles, his hair unwilling to be tamed no matter how many times he’s ran his hand through it. Alexi hates to say it might be a little bit adorable.
Even as they sit now, much more comfortably than they began, Riley listens to him intently. Listens to him ramble on about proper cooking techniques, asking questions and sharing experiences of his own. Alexi could tell now that even Riley was much less cautious in their meeting. Shamelessly he admits to himself it was nice. It was more than nice. Quite pleasant, really.
Then Alexi notices Riley’s expression, the same ‘deer caught in the headlights’ face he wore when he first caught the man staring at him the other day. Alexi turned his head then to look across the street to find another human, pink hair and tan skin. Keen senses allow him to observe the boy in that moment, he finds they look much like Riley. A brother perhaps? Judging by the shit-eating grin on the boy’s face, he must be.
Alexi, because may pride himself in manners but he still is somewhat of an asshole, waves at the boy, only then to witness the look of betrayal Riley sends him. Alexi just smiles innocently, making the other man scowl.
The door chimes sound and Riley sinks into his seat, looking like he wants to be anywhere but there and sending a glare at Alexi’s way. If Alexi were human, he thinks it would have intimidated him a tiny bit.
“Hello there.” Alexi greets the boy who’s saddled up in front of them both. Said boy greets him too, pulls a chair from another table and puts it between them both.
“So,” He takes a moment to steal a bit of RIley’s croissant, and in a clearly teasing tone, “What are you two up to?”
“Having coffee and a chat, would you like to join us?” Alexi says politely, wondering where this is going.
“Hmm, would be nice, but—”
Before the pink-haired boy can say anything, RIley interjects, “Better question, what are you doing here?”
“I was actually on my way out to go to Lyra’s, and I sent you a text but you left your phone on the counter, so I assumed you were here.” His eyes move to Alexi, mirth dancing within them. “Didn’t know you had company though.”
“Ah,” Alexi pushes up his glasses, then holds out a hand. “Alexi Stallard, pleased to meet you.”
He takes Alexi’s hand and shakes it, “Name’s Lucas, I’m Riles’ little brother. Nice to meet you Lexi. Can I call you Lexi? Or Alex? What are you comfy with?”
“Anything, really.”
“Lexi it is then.” he says, devious grin still in place. “You live ‘round here, Lex?”
“I just moved in actually, right next door to you two I believe.”
“Oh, is that so? ” Lucas says, hazel eyes meeting hazel, one pair calculating and the other trying (and failing) to be indifferent.
Riley remains silent.
Alexi, clearly noticing something going on, decides to pretend he does not notice and continues on with the conversation. “Yes. It is quite a nice place. The view is positively gorgeous at sunset.”
“Dude, I know right? It’s the best.” said Lucas, stealing the last bite of croissant. Alexi pushes his own pastry to him, watching what he’ll do. Lucas takes it and smiles gratefully at Alexi. “You gave me food, I like you now.”
Alexi chuckles good-naturedly. How sweet. “I’m honored.”
Riley looks at Alexi this time, “You’re really just gonna let him have that?”
“Why not?” Alexi shrugs. Not like he’s gonna feel full.
“I mean, it’s yours.”
“And now it’s his.”
“Just like that?”
Alexi raises an eyebrow and says, “Yes?”
“But you really liked that.”
“Yes, I did.”
“And you just gave it,”
“It’s really not that big of a deal,” Alexi shrugs. “He looked like he was hungry.”
Lucas pipes up, “Hey! I mean, true , but also, like, I do not look hungry.”
“Why, of course.” Alexi says, at the same time Riley says, “Yeah, totally.” The two look at each other in solidarity, then direct the gaze at Lucas.
“ I do not. ”
“Sure.” Alexi and Riley say at once.
Lucas looks between them both, pouty expression changing into one of amusement. “Christ, already in-sync? How long have you two known each other?”
Alexi stares at Riley, knowing the man remembers the first time they saw each other. The bridge, the body, the conversation. Alexi applauds Riley inwardly for only managing a twitch of his lips before schooling his expression. Well-practiced, how nice.
“Formally? Only around an hour, I’d say.” Alexi says.
“And yet,” Lucas says, a knowing look in his eyes.
“And yet.” Alexi replies, raising his cup and looking at them both before drinking.
The two brothers exchange glances. Something passing between them that Alexi doesn’t bother looking into. Lucas exhales loudly a moment later and stands up, placing his chair back on the adjacent table.
“Well, I really have to go. Lyra will kill me if I’m late,”
Alexi nods, “Of course. We wouldn’t want to keep you.”
There’s a small grin that graces Lucas’ face, no doubt to make a joke,but a raised eyebrow from Riley makes the boy pout. Riley says, “Be home by dinner.”
“Will do boss.” Lucas salutes at Riley playfully, then turns to wave goodbye at Alexi as he leaves.
Silence stretches between them after Lucas leaves. Riley looks a bit flushed, Alexi assumes he did not expect things to go as smoothly as they did. Alexi doesn’t start the conversation again, though. He instead waits to see what Riley will say.
It isn’t long before the man pipes up, “Sorry about that.”
“What for?”
“I, well, he—Lucas tends to be a bit,” Riley bites his lip and just grimaces, unable to meet Alexi’s eyes.
Alexi puts down his coffee and tips his head. “He wasn’t a bother, if that’s what you mean.” He continues when Riley meets his eyes, “You two really look alike. It’s the eyes, I believe.”
That manages to put a small smile on the human’s face. “Well, we are brothers.”
Alexi smiles back. The two of them enjoying the silence for a moment more. Riley meets his eyes again and, it's a small bit, the tiniest little hint, he can see fondness within them. It’s gone in a second, but it was there. It was there and that was enough to warm him.
Oh dear, he’s way more gone than he realizes.
Alexi’s phone dings from his pocket so he pulls it out, a text from Eriin.
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From: Eriin Claus
1 just told me to tell you to go home?
no clue why lol
^ are you proud of me i use slang
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To: Eriin Claus
Very proud. Did he say it was an emergency?
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From Eriin Claus:
he really didnt say anything
he just sent ‘tell the old man to go home i wanna talk to him’
kinda eerie right? plus its from one so like good luck
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To: Eriin Claus
Quite. Thank you for informing me. I’ll be with him shortly.
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When Alexi looks up, Riley’s looking at him curiously, a shy smile upon his lips.
Alexi smiles back apologetically, “I’m afraid I have to cut our meeting short. Something has come up, and I’ve been tasked to fix it.”
“Work?”
“Unfortunately.” Alexi says with a small frown, making Riley grimace in sympathy. They both get up, cleaning up the table and returning the used mugs to the bar for Nan. She thanks them as they walk out.
Riley glances up at Alexi, “Shall I walk you home?” This makes him chuckle, and Alexi nods good-naturedly. Few words are spoken between them as they walk up, light and surprisingly friendly and teasing. When they reach their subsequent doors, they don’t immediately go in. Riley’s gone tense all of sudden, the air of familiarity turning a bit awkward. He looks to Alexi and stammers, before apologizing and clearing his throat.
“Could you wait here for a second?”
Intrigued, Alexi says, “Of course.”
At that, Riley goes into his apartment, and Alexi can hear a bit of shuffling behind the not fully closed door, then Riley is back out with something in his hands.
The handkerchief. Perhaps Alexi’s inhumanity is the only thing that saves him from full on grinning at that moment.
Riley clears his throat again before saying, “Here’s your, uh, handkerchief. I washed it.” He holds it out for Alexi to accept.
Alexi takes it and smiles. “How sweet. Thank you.” He says in a grateful tone.
“You're welcome.” The human says back, blushing faintly. There’s nothing more to say between them, but Alexi finds himself reluctant to part. He’s inclined to believe RIley feels the same.
Nonetheless, one of his own is waiting for him, duty calls as they say. “I’ll be going in now, have a nice day Riley.”
“Ah—yeah, yes, of course.” Riley stutters, “You too, have a nice day. Alexi.” He adds lastly.
Alexi heads in first, closing the door behind him. His name on Riley’s lips is one thing he would not mind at all.
He puts away his shoes and socks, checking the time and listing off his tasks for the day as he does. Only then when he’s finished does he notice the scent in the air.
“Hey, old man.” A voice says behind him, “Took you long enough.”
Rolling his eyes, Alexi says, “Hello, One.”
“Yeah, hi.” A pause, “Quick question, two actually, who were you talking to and were you seriously flirting with that human?”
Alexi wonders how many times he’ll be rolling his eyes in the next few hours.