Julian gripped Alaric's hand tighter, the warmth of his skin pulling him completely into the present.
His own heart was racing fast against his ribs. He looked down at their interlaced fingers, his mind spinning as he tried to figure out how to put eons of tragedy into simple words.
How could he tell his lover that they had found each other across different lifetimes, loved deeply, and then watched it all end in blood and tears? How could he explain that this current life was their very last chance simply because Lucius was finally here with them?
It was difficult. And he did not want to keep it to himself. He felt like his heart was going to burst just knowing these facts. He wanted Alaric to know.
Alaric noticed his slight trembling. He reached up with his other hand, his thumb gently catching a stray tear on Julian's cheek.
"It's okay," Alaric said, his deep voice incredibly quiet in the dim room. "I'm right here."
