The growing tension between Kaelor and Joan intensified, like the rising of the sun and its setting. Kaelor sat on the edge of the couch, his usual composed demeanor unraveling with every passing second. Joan was seated across from him, her presence infuriatingly magnetic. The light hovered on her auburn hair, and the curve of her lips sent an unfamiliar, unsettling chill to the pit of his stomach.
He scowled, his hands tightening around a book he wasn't even reading.
Why did she have this effect on him?
He'd fought gods, betrayed nations, and wielded devastating power… yet the mere sight of her teasing smirk left him at a loss for words.
"You look like you're about to crush that book," Joan said humorously.
His eyes turned to her, and he quickly loosened his grip.
"I don't crush books," he replied, but his tone betrayed the effort it took him to remain nonchalant.
She leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm as she observed him.
"You're so strange," she said, wearing a playful glint in her eyes. "One moment you're brooding and mysterious, the next you're… awkward."
"I am not awkward," he said.
"See? Awkward," she continued teasing him, and laughing.
He felt his frustration mounting, not at her, but at himself. How could he be so easily disarmed by her? His entire life had been a series of calculated moves, each one designed to keep others at arm's length. But Joan… she was different. She saw through his barriers, and worse, she didn't seem afraid to push.
He averted his stare, trying to focus on the bookshelf across the room.
"Why are you always here?" he muttered.
She tilted her head.
"Why are you always here? You could've left by now, but you didn't. What's keeping you?"
He froze. He didn't have an answer… or at least not one he was willing to admit.
Before the silence could stretch too far, the door burst open, and Lyle walked in, carrying a bag of groceries. His timing, as always, was impeccable.
"Joan," he said, his tone sounding accusatory, "why are you sitting so close to him?"
She sighed dramatically.
"Lyle, we're across the room from each other."
"It's still too close," he snapped, shooting Kaelor a stern look.
"And you! What are you doing just sitting there? Shouldn't you be, I don't know, doing something useful?"
Kaelor rolled his eyes, grateful for the interruption, but annoyed by his constant interference.
"I didn't realize your house had seating rules," he said jokingly.
But Lyle ignored him, walking between the two of them like an overprotective border collie.
"Joan, come help me with these groceries."
"I'm fine right here," she replied, leaning back in her chair with a grin.
He groaned in frustration.
"Unbelievable," he muttered before stomping into the kitchen.
She turned back to Kaelor,
"Don't mind him. He's just being an overprotective big brother."
He snorted.
"He acts like I'm some kind of monster."
She raised an eyebrow, her teasing smile returning.
"Aren't you?"
He hesitated.
Her question, though playful, struck a nerve.
"Not… entirely," he admitted.
Her smile faltered, and her eyes searched his face.
"You don't have to be," she said.
The sincerity in her tone caught him off guard, and for a moment, he felt his carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Lyle's voice rang out from the kitchen.
"Joan! I need help with the pasta!"
She sighed, slumping her shoulders.
"Duty calls," she said, standing up.
He watched her leave, as the room suddenly felt empty without her presence. He let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and leaned back against the couch.
***
Later that evening, he found himself alone in the backyard, staring up at the stars. The cool night breeze did little to soothe his restless thoughts.
"What are you doing out here?"
He turned to see her standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. She wore a simple sweater and jeans, yet to him, she looked dashing.
"Thinking," he simply said.
"About what?" She pressed on as she stepped outside, closing the door behind her.
He hesitated, contemplating whether to give her a vague answer, or admit the truth. Against his better judgment, he chose the latter.
"About how confusing your world is. How… confusing you are."
Her brows rose in surprise, but she quickly recovered, a sly smile hung at her lips.
"Me? What's so confusing about me?"
He struggled to find the words.
"You… You make me feel things I don't understand. It's frustrating."
She laughed.
"It's called an attraction, Kaelor. You know, when you like someone?"
He frowned.
"Like? What does it mean to like someone? Do you mean… fondness?"
She nodded.
"Something like that. But it's more than just fondness. It's… complicated."
He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face.
" "Complicated" is an understatement. I've spent my life avoiding connections, and now—" He stopped himself, realizing he'd said too much.
"Now what?" She pressed, stepping closer.
He shook his head.
"It doesn't matter. You're human. I'm… not."
"So?" She challenged. "Does that mean you're incapable of feeling?"
He opened his mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he found himself staring into her eyes, their intensity pulling him in.
She tilted her head,
"You don't have to fight it, you know."
He took a step back, shaking his head.
"I can't. It's dangerous… for both of us."
"Life's dangerous," she countered. "But that doesn't mean you stop living it."
Before he could respond, the door opened, and Lyle stepped out, his face looked annoyed and suspicious.
"What's going on out here?" He demanded, his eyes dashing fast between the two of them.
"Nothing," Kaelor said quickly.
Joan smiled smugly, clearly enjoying her brother's overprotectiveness.
"Just talking."
"Well, talk inside," he said firmly. "It's cold out here."
Kaelor sighed, running a hand through his hair again, as Joan walked past him, brushing against his arm. The brief contact sent a jolt of sensation through him, and he clenched his fists to control himself.
As he followed them back inside, he couldn't help but feel like he was losing control of not just of his emotions, but of everything.
***
Later that night, as he sat alone in his room, he stared at the shard resting on the table in front of him. Its faint light seemed to mock him, a reminder of the power and purpose he had once held so firmly.
"Focus," he muttered to himself, gripping the shard tightly.
But no matter how hard he tried, his thoughts kept drifting back to her, and the way she made him feel.
For the first time in centuries, Kaelor felt truly vulnerable…