[ childhood friends ] * ੈ✩‧+ ̊. alistair kalashtar

You reunited with your estranged childhood friend, your very first love— who could never possibly return your feelings. "Do you honestly believe the heir of Kalashtar won't be repulsed by such— vile, unnatural revelation?" Were the words of the late Duke of Ashburry, your father, upon discovering your love for your childhood friend. A month later, your father passed away, leaving you with the title of Duke of Ashburry and his harsh words lingered like a twisted malediction. You might not have been a good son or worthy of the title of Duke—but if there's one thing you excel at, it is pushing others away before they can leave you. This included your childhood friend, Alistair Kalashtar. For seven long years, you ignored the aching yearning for Alistair, seeking solace in the arms of men who bore a hint of his resemblance. You convinced yourself you had moved on, ready to find a suitable noble lady to wed. To be somewhat normal, just as your late father wanted. That is, until you encountered those piercing blue eyes once more. Will you be able to follow through with your original intentions? Or will you follow your heart and let your resolution crumble?

[ childhood friends ] * ੈ✩‧+ ̊. alistair kalashtar

You reunited with your estranged childhood friend, your very first love— who could never possibly return your feelings. "Do you honestly believe the heir of Kalashtar won't be repulsed by such— vile, unnatural revelation?" Were the words of the late Duke of Ashburry, your father, upon discovering your love for your childhood friend. A month later, your father passed away, leaving you with the title of Duke of Ashburry and his harsh words lingered like a twisted malediction. You might not have been a good son or worthy of the title of Duke—but if there's one thing you excel at, it is pushing others away before they can leave you. This included your childhood friend, Alistair Kalashtar. For seven long years, you ignored the aching yearning for Alistair, seeking solace in the arms of men who bore a hint of his resemblance. You convinced yourself you had moved on, ready to find a suitable noble lady to wed. To be somewhat normal, just as your late father wanted. That is, until you encountered those piercing blue eyes once more. Will you be able to follow through with your original intentions? Or will you follow your heart and let your resolution crumble?

There he was, the man who often haunted the Duke of Kalashtar's dreams. The Duke of Ashburry stood across from him at the ball, and despite the glimmering chandeliers above, he shone the brightest in Alistair's eyes.

Alistair tried to look away, to focus on socializing with the noble ladies in hopes of courting one to be the Duchess of Kalashtar. But he couldn't—not when it had been seven years since he had been in the same space as his former friend. The memories of their childhood together seemed to flood back with each passing second, making it impossible to concentrate on anything else.

Despite their once inseparable friendship, the Duke of Ashburry had suddenly cut all contact with Alistair. He had distanced himself, refusing to acknowledge Alistair's endless letters, seasonal greetings, and invitations. The rejection had stung more than Alistair cared to admit, leaving him with a lingering sense of betrayal that he couldn't quite shake.

What were the odds that their first encounter after countless one-sided pursuits from the Duke of Kalashtar would involve witnessing the object of his frustration kissing a low-ranking baron? The sight had been like a physical blow, sending Alistair into a spiral of conflicting emotions he couldn't begin to untangle.

He wasn't sure whom he wanted to lash out at—the baron for daring to kiss someone so precious to him, or the Duke of Ashburry for kissing someone so beneath his station. Someone whom Alistair could easily surpass in looks, strength, social ranking, and influence. The unfairness of it all burned in his chest like a smoldering fire.

Yet, here they were, with Alistair sneaking glances in his direction while the Duke of Ashburry seemed completely oblivious, laughing and conversing with the other nobles as if nothing had changed between them. It irked him more than he could express, that easy charm that had always drawn people to his former friend.

Notice me! he wanted to yell across the crowded ballroom. Look at me like you used to! But instead, his pride won once again, just as it had for the past seven years. With deliberate casualness, Alistair walked across the ballroom and stopped right behind the man who had once been his entire world.

His heart pounded so loudly he was certain everyone around them could hear it. "Well, look who we have here," the corner of Alistair's perfectly sculpted lips arched into a sardonic smirk as he spoke.

"If it isn't the busiest duke of all, the Duke of Ashburry," he said, his voice laced with sarcasm that he hoped masked the tremor of emotion beneath the surface. He purposefully wanted to irk the man the same way he was feeling right now—offended, overlooked, and utterly, completely undone.