"Eyes in the Static"

Lucien didn’t sleep. He hadn’t in centuries. But tonight, for the first time in decades, he found himself restless.

He stood atop an abandoned church, the cracked stone beneath his boots still damp from last night’s storm. Below, the city pulsed—a breathing thing of light and noise, oblivious to what moved in its veins.

He replayed every moment with Asher: the heat of his breath, the tremble in his voice, the soft stammer of a heart trying to decide if it wanted to run or stay. Lucien had touched countless humans in his long life—fed from them, seduced them, forgotten them.

But Asher…

He didn’t taste like the others. He didn’t feel like the others. There was something in him Lucien couldn’t name. Something dangerous.

Because Lucien already knew he wouldn’t be able to stop.

And yet… Asher hadn’t kissed him. Hadn’t leaned in. Hadn’t surrendered.

He still had a choice.

And that only made Lucien want him more.

---

Across the city, behind mirrored glass in a high-rise too sleek for its own soul, Dr. Lennox watched the grainy security feed from the alley Lucien had appeared in the night before.

"He's making contact again," a technician said quietly, adjusting the feed.

"Not with the target," Lennox corrected, eyes sharp as steel. "This one’s off-pattern. Not Asher Vale... but still significant."

On another monitor, Eli Thorne’s profile photo flickered—sharp eyes, crooked smile, cigarette in his fingers. A file number stamped over his face: SUBJECT #27 - UNSTABLE BUT GENETICALLY COMPATIBLE.

"We were never looking at the right human," Lennox muttered.

“What about the vampire?” the tech asked. “Should we intervene?”

Lennox narrowed her eyes. “No. Let the monster fall in love again.”

She tapped the screen.

“And this time, let’s see what happens when we make him bleed for it.”

---

The next night, Asher didn’t go looking for Lucien.

But Lucien found him anyway.

He waited outside the bookstore, leaning against a lamppost like some tragic poem come to life. This time, he wore a black turtleneck under his coat, his hair still wet from the mist in the air. He looked… less immortal.

More like a man trying not to feel too much.

Asher stopped mid-step when he saw him. “You again.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I’m not sure how I sound.”

Lucien smiled faintly. “Then let me guess: guarded. Confused. Maybe a little curious.”

“You left me on that bridge without a word.”

“I was trying not to ruin something delicate.”

Asher arched an eyebrow. “You think I’m delicate?”

“I think I am,” Lucien said softly. “When it comes to you.”

That did something strange to Asher’s chest.

He looked away, swallowing. “You’re a vampire. I’m just a guy with a shitty apartment and an expired MetroCard. We’re not even in the same world.”

Lucien stepped closer, careful not to touch. “Then let me show you mine.”