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The room was lit only by the crackling flames in the fireplace. The air smelled of burning wood and the faint trace of Anthony’s usual cologne. The orange hues of the fire cast long, playful shadows on the walls, creating an intimate and almost dreamlike atmosphere. The sofa where they both sat was large and comfortable, but tonight, Alastor had been unusually quiet, lost in thoughts that seemed too heavy to share.
Anthony, seated beside him, observed in silence. The warmth from the fireplace enveloped them, but there was something in Alastor’s distant gaze that made the air between them feel dense, almost expectant. Anthony wasn’t used to seeing Alastor like this, so introspective.
Finally, Anthony broke the silence, his tone soft and concerned.
“Alastor… Are you alright? You’ve been quiet for a while. It feels like your mind is far away.”
Alastor didn’t respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the flames, as if searching for something among the flickering oranges and reds. After a long moment, his lips curved into a small smile, but the tension in his face betrayed that something important was brewing. Alastor sighed, turning his head slowly toward Anthony, meeting his gaze.
“It’s just that…” he started to say, but his voice cracked slightly. He cleared his throat and tried again, “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for a long time, but I haven’t found the right moment or the right words. I was afraid it would sound… exaggerated, maybe even ridiculous.”
Anthony frowned, concerned yet intrigued by Alastor’s unusual behavior. Normally so confident, seeing him hesitate like this was unsettling.
“You can tell me anything, Alastor. You know I’ll always be here, listening,” Anthony said, his voice full of understanding and patience.
Those words seemed to give Alastor the courage he needed. With a slow movement, he stood up from the sofa and, to Anthony’s surprise, knelt before him. He gently took Anthony’s hands in his own, the softness of his touch contrasting with his usually imposing demeanor. His fingertips traced Anthony’s skin carefully, as if through that contact, he could transmit all the words he had yet to say.
Anthony looked at him, slightly bewildered by the gesture, but didn’t pull away. He knew that whatever was about to happen was significant, something Alastor had been keeping deep within.
“Anthony…” Alastor began, his voice softer than Anthony had ever heard it, “Sometimes I feel like words aren’t enough to describe what I feel for you. But tonight, here, with you… I need to try.”
Anthony watched him intently, holding his breath as Alastor spoke.
“I want you forever. Not just in this moment, not just in this life. If I could, I’d make sure our souls found each other in every corner of time, in every life we lived, again and again.” Alastor’s eyes shone with a pure emotion. “If there were a power that could allow me to do that, I would use it without hesitation. Because I don’t just want to give you what you need, Anthony. I want to give you everything you desire, no matter how absurd or small. If you asked me for the stars, I would tear them from the sky for you. If you wanted flowers that never wilted, I would find them. Anything, just to see you smile.”
Anthony, his eyes slightly glassy, tried to say something, but the words seemed stuck in his throat. Alastor continued, his voice now firmer, filled with palpable devotion.
“And you know… jewels, treasures, all the things this world considers valuable, pale in comparison to you. No diamond, no gold, not even the grandest sparkle could compare to you. What you carry inside, what you make me feel… it’s priceless.”
Anthony felt his heart beat faster. Everything Alastor was saying resonated within him, with an intensity he had never experienced before.
“If I could, my love… I would treasure you in this life, in every life we lived. I would make sure every sunrise was shared with you, that every breath was together. Here, now, and in every life after this.” Alastor’s gaze softened, his voice now a whisper filled with promises. “It would always be you, Anthony. The one I’d choose. The one I’d love. Over and over again.”
Still kneeling, Alastor gazed at Anthony with an intensity that left him breathless. Unable to resist any longer, Anthony leaned forward and embraced him tightly, as if that gesture sealed every word Alastor had spoken. They remained there, in a deep silence, but one filled with understanding. The flames in the fireplace continued their dance, but now the entire room felt warmer, brighter. The love they shared needed no more words; at that moment, they felt it, they lived it, together.