Chapter Text
The television was airing some awful reality show in the lounge of the hotel, Angel was engrossed, telling anyone who’d listen facts about the stars. If he knew them, he’d even include some embarrassing stories about their feet fetishes, much to Vaggie’s dismay, who was leaning into Charlie, ignoring him. Charlie was laughing at how every scene seemed staged, claiming there was no way people were that mean to each other naturally. Husk had opened a bottle of wine and was swirling it around his glass, insisting it was too bitter.
It was a relaxing change to the chaos that usually surrounded the place and no one was in a hurry to head to bed. You were in the corner seat of the couch, fending off Nifty as she tried to dust your arm rest continuously. As a commercial break came on, Angel announced he was getting more popcorn and snacks.
“Can I have some of those gummy snakes, pleaseeee” Charlie asked, her eyes wide. Vaggie snorted and then admitted she wanted some too. You requested some chocolate right as Angel disappeared into the kitchen. The new kitchen sure was a nice change from the burned out mini fridge that had been the only source of sustenance for a while in the hotel, and you silently thanked Alastor for again working his sorcery on it. Thinking of him, you didn’t see the radio demon anywhere in the room. “Hey, has anyone seen Alastor?” You asked Vaggie while Charlie continued to specify which snacks she wanted.
“Nope, haven’t seen him, he usually heads for cover as soon as we turn this thing on.” She pointed to the tv. You laughed, not sure if she was being serious.
“Hm, well I feel weird that we’re all socialising and he’s just…not.”
“Don’t, he’s really not the social type toots” Angel reassured you with his hands full of snacks. You and Charlie helped set them down on the table and couch. Afterwards, you stood up, pulling a hardcover book from your lap. It was a non-fiction book about New Orleans ghost stories. “I wanted to give this back to him but since he won’t come in here, I’ll just go leave it outside his door.”
“Hurry back, or I’ll eat all your popcorn!” Charlie chimed in as you stood up. You waved her off affectionately. They really did have some good nights when things felt like right now.
As you walked down the hallway, the book tucked under your arm, you tried to remember which room was Alastor’s. Angel was right, Alastor mostly kept to himself and didn’t mingle with the others nearly as much. He usually helped cook, or provided repairs to the hotel when necessary but really often secluded himself in between tasks. You quickly approached what you thought was his room, bending down to lean the book against the door frame. Just as you were about to turn around, the door flung open. Alastor, in a fluffy striped red robe stood in front of you, arms up in surprise.
“Well well, what are you doing here this time of night? I was simply heading to the kitchen for a late night snack and didn’t expect to nearly hit you with the door.”
“Oh, Alastor! I thought you were asleep or something, I just wanted to give you back your book, thanks by the way for letting me-”
“Darling, if I wanted it back I’d have asked by now, I gave it to you to keep.” He leaned against the door for a moment of contemplation.
“How’s about you leave your book there for now and we get some food, I’m starved!” the demon put his blackened, clawed hand out to help you up. Alastor was hardly the type to initiate touch but you two had been spending time together reading, cooking, existing in each others’ spaces, and it seemed to be having some weird effect on him. You’d questioned if he was just being a well-mannered gentleman but he seemed to put more fondness behind his actions with you lately.
“I think Angel took all the popcorn…and candy…and I think the others drank all the soda.” You laughed at the idea of Nifty single-handedly downing a bottle of sugary Mountain Dew.
“Nonsense, I’ve my own stash of snacks. Do you like espresso? I have an entire bag of this new dark roast we can try, we might have to share with Vaggie though, you know how she is with her coffee…” Alastor trailed on as you two walked down the hall. As you reached the living room, Charlie flagged you down, insisting “Alastor! Don’t you want to join us? We were justtt about to put on the next movie.”
“I’m quite alright, _______ and I are going to have some snacks and coffee. Does anyone else want some?” He raised an eyebrow expectantly.
“Me, since you’re offering” Vaggie piped in.
“See, I warned you.” Alastor leaned in and whispered in your ear.
“Ooo! Caffeine! Yes please!” Nifty vibrated in her seat, clearly needing anything but more caffeine. The radio demon gave a chuckle then nodded.
“Coming right up then.” He strode to the kitchen, holding the door open for you to duck under his arm. You sat watching him prepare the coffee, still wondering what foods he had in his stash to offer. When he opened the coffee, he slid the bag across the table for you to take in the smell.
“It’s supposed to have notes of bourbon, smoked wood, and vanilla.” He insisted.
“Like a sweet campfire?”
“Accurate description I must admit.” He seemed to grin brighter as he ground the beans and started the machine to brew. “Now, for the snacks. Let’s see. Alastor bent down to rummage in the lower cabinets. He came back up holding a few packets and a tray.
“Let’s see…I’ve got some cherry tarts with almond paste and this- now, don’t feel obligated to try it but I did make it myself.”
“And that would be?”
“Venison, dried with an array of spices and some brown sugar.”
You tentatively took the bag, intrigued. You also noticed Alastor was humming while he poured a small pitcher of milk and arranged cups and sugar for the coffees. He seemed so at ease right now in a way he wasn’t usually unless he’d just been presenting his show.
“How many sugars do you take, mon ami?” Alastor asked you, leaning toward you so the spoon full of it was near your face.
“Just two,” you answered, you could feel your face turning red, he was being soft towards you again and it sent your mind spiraling in confusion. The sugar settled in the cup with a crunchy sound and in the silence, you started arranging the cherry tarts on plates. Alastor poured two cups for Vaggie and Nifty and set aside the rest. As if on cue, Nifty arrived in the doorway to take the coffees. She didn’t say much aside from giggling like a madwoman and mumbling “I wanted a bigger cup…” Once she was gone, Alastor took a tray from near the sink and arranged both of your cups, a pot of coffee, the milk, and the food on it. He balanced it all on one hand and swung the kitchen door open with the other.
“Right this way.” You followed, noticing it wasn’t towards the couch or any of the rooms.
“I figured we could enjoy some time together on the terrace, if that’s fine with you?” You nodded.
“It’s supposed to be dark enough to see more than just the neon skyline tonight.” You agreed enthusiastically. Once you’d reached the terrace, it seemed the radio demon had been expecting to spend time out here. The usual garden furniture had been moved to make room and there was a blanket set out with an array of pillows on it, comfy enough that you could curl up on and nap right now.
“Alastor, you’re ridiculous.”
“How so?” He leaned in right after setting the tray onto the ground.
“You set all this up didn’t you?”
“This? Don’t be silly, Angel had some sort of hang out with Cherri earlier and I don’t think he felt like putting it away.” A bit of relief washed over you. You motioned to move it all and help set the furniture back up but Alastor rested his microphone on the nearest chair, blocking you.
“Ah, let’s just leave things as is, there’s plenty of room to sit out here. Besides, I want Angel to know how inconvenient he was for leaving such a mess.” You laughed as you both settled onto pillows. Alastor was on his stomach, his chin on his hands and his feet in the air. You leaned back into the soft nest, cozy. From where he sat, the demon still managed to pour hot coffee into each cup and topped yours with milk, carefully handing it to you. You smirked seeing he’d given you his bright red “Oh, Deer” mug and appreciated the gesture. Holding the cup to your lips, you felt Alastor’s eyes on you expectantly. The espresso was smooth and rich, warmth spread over your mouth as you took a sip.
“And? It's to your liking I assume?”
“Absolutely, this tastes as good as it smells.”
“That’s rare for coffee, you know, often its taste is lackluster in comparison to the smell.” He sipped from his own black mug and as he went to set it down, his ear brushed your arm. It was shockingly soft. You’d never really felt more than the demon’s hand occasionally or coat as he walked next to you. Somehow, you hadn’t expected Alastor, the fearsome radio demon, to be so…soft. Just then, he noticed your contemplation.
“What is it, mon ami? You’ve gone a bit quieter than I’m accustomed to expect from you. If you’re cold, we can go inside and join the others on the couch or-”
“No, I’m good, promise.” You cut him off quickly, not wanting to make this awkward.
“Or you can move closer, I was going to offer.” Alastor pulled the blanket Angel had left behind up over his legs. You had to admit it was a bit comical, seeing him wrapped in a throw like it was the most normal thing. He held out the rest of the blanket, waiting. You shifted over so your legs were under you, just barely brushing against his. This felt..odd. It wasn’t like Alastor to sit under the covers with anyone at the hotel, although you acknowledged some of the people here could be pretty touch-inclined. Charlie liked to play with peoples’ hair and Angel would pretty much cuddle anyone who sat still long enough.
“I mostly brought us out here because I feel we should address the time we’ve been spending together.” Alastor began out of the blue. “Now, I don’t want anyone to start gossiping, and we both know how quickly and fondly that happens here at the hotel.” You nodded in agreement.
“Right…see that’s why I wanted to return your book, Charlie had noticed it and you’re right, we don’t want rumors.”In response, you were met with an eye roll and a gesture of waving off what you’d said.
“Heavens no, please, keep the book, actually I have a few others I picked out for us to read…together. If this all sounds good to you?”
“If what sounds good to me?”
“It’s no secret we’ve been getting along wonderfully, I’m so fond of spending time with you, actually. Please understand, I’ve not exactly decided how this should proceed…physically. But emotionally, I’m offering you, me.” You blinked. Was Alastor offering to..be with you? No one had mentioned anything of his past relationships, if they existed, you did know Charlie mentioned him being asexual, which was ironic because you also were. But you’d not considered the possibility he’d still be…romantic?
“Alastor? Are you romantically attracted to me? Is that what you’re saying? I just want to get this-”
“Most certainly! Being around each other is the most fun we have around here! We have similar tastes in books, you’ve been showing me how to make foods I have never tried, and look, we’re sitting so close and you’re not even trying to initiate sexual contact.” Honestly, all of what he’d said was true, and it all relied on things you also felt.
“Well, I feel it too. When we’re together, I mean. The others can gossip, not that it counts if it's true.” You smiled some. “Here I was thinking we’d been spending too much time together! What a relief.”
“May I?” Alastor put his arm out so it was around your waist. You nodded and he pulled you onto his chest, a soft static prrrrr emanating from his neck.
“Hey Alastor? Can I…” You hesitated but couldn’t stop the words. “Pet your ears?” The radio demon giggled in an electronic hum.
“You may.” At his consent, you reached up tentatively to touch the red tuft of fur of the ear closest to you.
“Oh dear, they’re not glass.” You more firmly stroked down the demon’s head, from the top of his ear to where they met his hair. When he affectionately nuzzled you, you did the same to the further ear, scratching behind it like you’d do for a cat. They were dense and plush, like chinchilla fur and silk combined. Alastor’s eyes half-closed. He was growing visibly drowsy while you petted him and laid in his lap. Around you, the sun had fully set and the hellscape was lighting up. Through the haze of your contentment, you swore you could see some twinkling stars against the red sky.