Alexei couldn't name the exact moment his gaze started lingering on the black-haired young man.
Perhaps it had started the first time he had seen Elijah walking toward him in a red shirt with that holy cross dangling from his wrist.
If Alexei had to compare Elijah to something, it would be a small sun.
Attracting attention just by standing there.
He was bright enough to burn any bad demons and ghosts, and yet gentle like the delicious heat in the midst of winter.
Was it his fault for wanting that heat for himself? Of course not.
At first, it was really just his wish to spend some time with Elijah so he could get this persistent, handsome face out of his system.
But the more time he spent with that priestling, the more he ended up learning about a completely new reality.
It was as if Elijah was wrapped in many mysterious layers, and he wanted to unwrap them all until he got to touch that delicate soul hidden deep under that icy body.
