Subtle Tensions

Happiness had always been a vague concept for Alaric. To him, it looked like people laughing and smiling, as if they didn't have much problems with the world. 

Alaric, after reaching a certain age, didn't think he felt that again, so it was a little confusing to hear the woman's words to him. 

"You seem happy when you look at me." She said this as a-matter-of-fact

Alaric's eyes fixed to look at her. Ignoring his heart, his eyes narrowed, wondering if she was acting. 

He couldn't tell at all. 

With his upbringing, he'd like to believe he could determine the fakes, and so far he couldn't see an ounce of it in her. 

More than her beauty and her body, this was one of the main things that made her stick in his head. 

So… he was happy, eh? 

He calmed down and looked at her again. "What do you think happiness is?" he asked, genuinely wondering what her answer was.