Page 107

"Fine, " Alaric said, taking a deep breath, and focusing on the subtle electrical impulses running through Griffin’s body.

Every heartbeat was controlled by electrical signals originating from the sinoatrial node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. Using his powers, Alaric sent faint currents of electricity into Griffin’s chest, mimicking the signals produced by the SA node to regulate his heart rate.

"You’ll feel a slight tingling," Alaric warned, though Griffin barely flinched.

As Alaric worked, he monitored Griffin’s physical response. The erratic heartbeat began to steady under his influence, the chaotic rhythm falling into a slower, more controlled pattern.

"You’re also overventilating," Alaric said with a calm yet clinical tone. "Your body’s CO2 levels are dropping, which is why you feel like you’re losing control. Breathe with me slowly."

Griffin followed Alaric’s breathing, his inhales and exhales gradually deepening and slowing down. Alaric then adjusted the currents, using the vagus nerve, a cranial nerve that plays a crucial role in parasympathetic control, to further regulate Griffin’s body’s response.

"There," Alaric said after a few minutes, his voice filled with pride and satisfaction. "Your fight-or-flight system is disengaged."

Griffin leaned back against the couch, his eyes closed as the tension ebbed from his body. His breathing was even now, the beast retreating back into the back of his mind. Thank the gods.

"You’ve really got that lightning voodoo down to a science, don’t you?" Griffin joke, cracking an eye open.

Alaric smirked, standing up and brushing his damp hair out of his face before he dropped down to the seat beside Griffin.

"It’s not voodoo, Griffin, but physics. Electricity is everywhere. It’s in your nerves, your muscles, your heart. I just... nudge it in the right direction."

Griffin snorted loudly, crossing his arms. "Whatever, man. I still don’t get how women find you nerds interesting."

Alaric smirked, unbothered by the jab. "Because science is sexy," he said, gesturing to himself. "And I happen to have an incredibly handsome face to add to my admirable physique. So yes, Griffin, women would trip over this body."

Griffin burst into laughter, the sound reverberating through the room. "Keep telling yourself that, nerd. Just don’t get too big of a head."

"If I had two heads, Griffin, I’ll just marry myself. I mean do you know what I could achieve having double of this incredible brain. It would be smoking hot!" He claimed.

"Smoking hot with a monster head!" Griffin burst into laughter again, this time holding his belly. "God, I can’t take it anymore."

Alaric stood staring at him with a blank expression before he grimaced at his soaking wet clothes clinging to his body. Without another word, he started heading towards the door.

Griffin called after him, his laughter dying down, "Dude, stop stealing my clothes, especially when you’re not going to return them!"

Alaric didn’t bother turning around. Instead, he raised a hand in a dismissive wave, rolling his eyes. "You have too many clothes anyway. Consider it charity."

"And you don’t!" Griffin shouted after him but he ignored it.

Alaric found his way to Griffin’s massive walk-in closet, a shrine to his friend’s taste for luxury.

The sheer size of the space was overwhelming, with rows of neatly hung designer shirts, jackets, and pants.

Shoes were meticulously arranged on tiered racks, and a collection of watches gleamed under the soft lighting.

"Seriously, Griffin, how many wardrobes does one guy need?" Alaric muttered to himself, as if he wasn’t guilty of having his own enviable collection.

He picked a loose shirt from a hanger which was a black one with minimalistic gold detailing. Unlike Griffin, his own style of dressing was more modest and less bling bling.

The particular shirt was stylish, but far too big for his leaner frame, thanks to Griffin’s broader shoulders and larger build. Hence It draped over Alaric like a curtain, but he rolled up the sleeves and made it work somehow.

For pants, Alaric grabbed a pair of grey sweatpants, tightening the drawstring at the waist to keep them from slipping down. "Why are you built like a fucking bear?" Alaric grumbled as he cinched the pants securely.

Satisfied with his makeshift outfit, Alaric stepped out of the closet. He found Griffin still seated down and waiting for him and a far suspicious smug grin plastered across his face.

Griffin gestured at him with a lazy wave. "Look at you, borrowing my style now. Admit it, I’ve got great taste."

Alaric rolled his eyes, adjusting the oversized sleeves. "Your taste is decent. I just make it look better."

Griffin shook his head, saying. "You’re unbelievable."

"You’re just mad I look better in your clothes than you do," Alaric quipped, using the towel he grabbed from the room to dry his damp hair.

"Dream on, thunderboy. My clothes are too refined for a walking science experiment like you." Griffin taunted, casually scrolling through his phone.

Alaric then made to sit down only for the aroma of something rich and spicy to catch his attention. His gaze fell on the table where a steaming bowl of chicken soup sat, perfectly arranged as though it had been waiting for him.

He blinked, his towel dropping onto his lap. "When did you prepare this?"

Griffin, lounging comfortably, barely looked up. "I didn’t just prepare it. I always cook extra and stock my fridge. Thought you’d be starving after summoning a rainstorm out there."

Alaric shook his head, a rare, genuine smile tugging at his lips. "If only you weren’t a boy, I’d probably fall for you right now."

Griffin replied deadpan, "Sorry to disappoint, but I’m not into hot nerds."

For a beat, the room was silent before both burst into laughter. It was rare to see Alaric so at ease, and Griffin relished the moment.

The warmth from the soup seemed to seep into Alaric’s soul as he ate, the two sitting in companionable silence. Griffin observed as Alaric savored each spoonful, his face calm and contemplative. But when Alaric finally set the bowl down, his expression shifted.

"Actually," Alaric began, his tone somber than usual, "there’s a reason I came to see you."