My friend says I write a lot of drama and conflict, which I think are essential to stories. I think the problems create a stronger bond and relationship between characters. Thank you for tuning in. I hope this next chapter will be to your liking.
Angel Dust immediately glomped Alastor, nearly knocking down the two of them into the ground. But, he didn't mind, returning the hug. "I thought..." His hands settled on the radio demon's face carefully. Part of him still couldn't believe this was real, as he was certain of what he remembered. Looking down, his clothes did not have the holes that were once there, and he truly looked alive. Seeing Angel's eyes water, Alastor shook his head, wiping the tears before they could form, smiling brightly.
"I don't die easily." Angel contemplated kissing him now and then, but remembered there was still someone else in the room. He wasn't normally one for decency, but in this case, it wasn't just some lust-filled drive making him behave this way. He got off reluctantly, a light pink hue on his cheeks. After all, Alastor's real feelings weren't exactly said when he was in a good place of mind. He had almost died. He hadn't opposed to any advances so far, but he didn't want to risk making him uncomfortable with something so intense. "Sorry, I..." Angel felt jittery, moving back to sit on his bed. "I'm just... so glad that you're alive."
"Even if I did die, I would only have a single regret. And that would be never seeing you again." The last words of his sentence made Angel's heart bump. "...but, there's still one loose end." His head turned slightly to Cherri, who suddenly felt the need to panic, but froze. "Angel, would you have any qualms if I ended this... conniving thing?" The venom in every word was felt, guided with that uncomfortable static that was growing in volume over time. "You could've died because of her." Grinning, he finally turned to her with a suddenness that her jump. "And so help me Satan, if you did, she would be dead right now."
"I-I'M SORRY! PLEASE, they said they'd kill me! They'd KILL me!" Cherri shook with a mix of fright, sadness, and anger. "What would you have done?!"
"I wouldn't trade your life for his if I was given a choice. No other demon's life for his, for that matter." Hands twitching, his anger building, Angel intervened, simply placing a hand on his. "That's enough, tough guy. I forgive him." Grip on his chair relaxing, he gave a sigh. "Be thankful you have such a forgiving friend, Cherri Bomb. If you try to stab him in the back again," he paused, "I will have your life." No more words were said, and he simply grinned at her. "Leave." Frightened beyond belief, she immediately left, the sound of her footsteps fading, and eventually disappearing. At this, Alastor relaxed. "You didn't have to scare her off like that."
"I know, love." He had let it slip this time, making him forget all about the previous scenario. "You've been awfully affectionate lately, Al'." Alastor hated that nickname. Yet, when Angel said it, he did not feel anything but enamored. "I've spoken about my feelings, have I not?" He felt anxiety creep up his back, along with other things. He hated this conglomerate of feelings, but the fact that one demon could make him feel this way astonished him. Alastor was smart. He was a powerhouse in the rankings of all demons, but he never stepped out of the boundaries of what he could do. There were plenty as strong, or stronger than him. Nervousness, or fear was typically nonexistent, even in the face of those powers. But right now, with Angel, he could not keep his composure.
"I know. But I never got to tell you how I felt."
"That... is fair." His anxiety peaked again, and he felt a dreadful feeling in the bottom of his stomach. It wasn't fair of him to impose his feelings. The radio demon had taken many things for himself without hesitation, but romance would not be one of those things. He was even more afraid that, given Angel's reputation and his own reputation, that a relationship couldn't work. Angel could sense his discomfort. "Hey, don't worry. It's just... Listen, I..." The spider demon's face contorted, trying to choose his words carefully. "...I really, really like you. You've done so much for me, even betting with your own life. Not to mention you're extremely sexy, both in appearances and when you're fighting." The last part was added in as an effort to ease the radio demon, but it mostly went over his head. The tension was building, and Alastor knew exactly what question was coming.
"But... why? Why would you go so far for me?" He should've known this was coming, but he had hoped he could avoid it. In doing so, he avoided both Angel, and his true feelings. It was truly selfish. He swallowed as his brows furrowed, hands clasping together. "Alright. You deserve the truth." Angel nestled back, unsure what to expect. It was obvious that there was some sort of deep connection. He could go on to love this demon and not know, live happy without knowing, probably... but what could drive a demon such as him to go this far?
"It is true that I... barely know you. There has been little to draw from." Alastor admitted. His feelings burned hotly with passion, but anyone could see the impulsiveness. "You remind me of... the time I once loved someone else. There was only one other who could capture my heart. But..." He paused, looking up from his hands to see Angel's reaction, which still seemed neutral. "...he looked just like you. I have not loved for hundreds of years, Angel Dust."
Angel felt a stab of disappointment, sighing. All of a sudden, it felt like his world has come crashing down. But, it all made sense. "...I get it now. Why would someone stick their neck out for me, right?" Looking away to the side, he felt a roller coaster of emotions. "You don't love me because I'm me. No... you don't love me." Hurt, Alastor unclasped his hands and rubbed his knuckled back and forth. This was not going according to plan. "Angel, please... don't take it that way."
"What other way is there to take this?! I look like some other demon you liked... so what?" He stood up with energy, running his hands through his hair. "Just... FUCK! Here I thought I... here I thought..." Angel turned away as Alastor rose from his seat. "Don't. Don't touch me..."
"Angel Dust." He was not granted a look. Sighing to himself, he nodded in acceptance. He should have known this is what would've happened, and it was for good reason. He did not deny himself of any wrongs. It really was selfish of him to act this way for such a reason. Deciding in his mind, Alastor opened the door to leave, turning back one more time. "I'm... sorry. I won't treat you like... this. Ever again."
The door clicked softly as it closed. Left behind was a crying angel, finally able to sob without restraint. "I thought someone finally loved me... for who I am."
If there was anything all demons shared in common, it was there love for drinking. Just as they did in past lives, the drink would perhaps numb the pain of whatever they were feeling. Perhaps wounds from a skirmish, emotional wounds, mental wounds. The drink could take it away. Who cared if it was temporary? Just drink again. Some called alcohol the devil's nectar, and in the underworld, this was very true. He had quit a long while back, and the need to drink never arose, at least until now. "Hello, old friend. Give me the specialty of the day."
"There is no specialty of the day. Don't bother since only you or Angel come around here. Maybe Vaggie sometimes, but don't tell her I told you that." Husk was one of the few people Alastor felt comfortable dropping his guise around. "Then anything will do. Just get me to forget."
"You got it, boss." Husk wasn't sure why he was being asked for a drink considering Alastor could probably just about conjure any drink he wanted, but he obliged. "I know better than to ask, but... it's Angel, isn't it?" Normally, if anyone tried to pry into personal matters, he'd immediately snap back. But right now, the radio demon was spent, not having the energy. "Perhaps. He has confided in you, hasn't he?"
"He has." Glass passed, it was taken quickly with gulp. He gave a cough, the taste barely registering. "I feel a misery in my bones..." The cat demon nodded, giving a dissatisfied sigh. He had owned a bar once, and he had seen countless souls drink away themselves. Of course, he was one of those souls, yet it never pleased him to see more who fell to the same pattern. "You've barely began drinking." The jest was ignored. "...well, you look like it."
"Oh yes, how very pitiful. How pitiful I am..." Alastor mused, though not to mock. He felt like absolute shit, but he wouldn't say it that way. Some class had to be retained with his smile off. Undressed. Vulnerable. It was pathetic. "You say you've lost the ability to feel?"
"Uh huh. Never tried again after... her." Another glass was passed without being asked for. A nod signified that the drinker approved, or understood. "I'm... very sorry that's what happened." The apologies given by the radio demon could mean many things. Sometimes it was sarcasm, sometimes it was a death threat. Though, anything could be a death threat from him. "When I lost him..." Ears perking up, Alastor grinned for a brief moment. "...I had not the slightest idea of what to do!" Again, back to his pitiful posture and lean. One more shot. "It seems men like us are perhaps doomed from the start. We love, we hurt, and then we drink to forget."
"Even for just a few hours." He ended the thought for Husk, giving a shrug and smiling. "I... shouldn't have let my feelings get the better of me. There's no room for feelings in this... this... shithole." He didn't curse often, but when he did, it was a lot more impacting. "I let my eyes wander off the ball. There's always that feeling where you want to try again. When the shot is so obvious, you can't help but ask yourself. 'What if?' This time, I let that mindset... control me." Alastor motioned with his hands, grabbing the air, and almost slamming them into the table. He resisted, making just a small thud. "I know. But it was a good shot, wasn't it? He seemed to already like you."
"Indeed. But my feelings may have been misplaced. I kept thinking about... him. The other him. I kept comparing them. I know it was wrong, but how could I not feel that way? It's like I'm looking at that same, blasted picture!" Another shot. "Please, don't tell me I'm seeing things. I know you've seen him. Both of them."
"Can't argue with you there. But, is that the only thing you liked about him?" This got the radio demon to think as he paused. Swallowing, deep in thought, he looked at his empty glass. Husk attempted to pour another, but was waved off. "No. He... he can handle himself really well. And, he can be..." He stopped, but knew Husk wouldn't judge. "...cute. I feel like I want to... know him more. He's not the lover I once had, obviously. And, it has been a long time since someone was bold enough to try and court me."
"He didn't even know who you were before he saw you."
"Yes... that's curious. And, even upon seeing my other side, he was not deterred at all." Saying all of these things, he rubbed his ears, frustrated. "I... do love him. But in any case, I've destroyed my chances. I doubt he'll want to see me again."
Husk shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But the question now is, are you willing to take a chance on those feelings again?"
I apologize to those who are left wanting a nsfw scene. I will get to it, and hopefully, I won't disappoint. The story's flowchart has changed quite a bit ever since the start, and truth be told, I'm still debating on the path to take next. Please leave a review. The feedback really encourages me, and helps me become a better writer! Also, I would like to announce the writing of another RadioDust story. It is untitled as of now, and will be worked on on the side. I will finish this first though, of course. Be on the lookout for that if you enjoy my writing.
