Goodmorning everyone. Longer chapter but it felt like the flow shouldn't be broken. Thank you so much for the reviews. I love seeing your thoughts. I love this platform for just that. It feels so great to be a part of a community of people being fans, making art, and sharing their opinions. Even the bad I kind of love.

PS-Looking forward to A24 taking over the show. A little back and forth on the redesign (I love it but miss the old art style a bit) and I'm tentativly excited. I love everything A24 does though so I'm sure it's going to be good!

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The walk home from the station was long, and the lack of conversation was heavy. Alastor idly twirled his microphone, humming now and then, eyes forward. He didn't seem to acknowledge when Sara was next to him or trailing behind. He didn't seem to notice her at all.

But she couldn't stop looking at him. His mouth had fallen shut, with a few fangs poking out of the corners. It wasn't a frown but not a smile either. Something more…normal. No manic energy, no performative nature, no searching eyes, he just seemed contemplative. Like any man with antlers walking home. There was something relaxed about him that she wasn't used to.

And she felt herself blush because it wasn't the first time she'd seen it. When they were human he had been of a similar way. Always nervous, or cheesy, or manic. He always seemed to feel eyes on him. Always giving some kind of a performance. It was only twice that she had managed to catch him lost in thought like this, his features relaxed. On the walk home from the radio party and when she had woken up to find him asleep next to her before….

She felt a wave of fear, unable to finish the thought. Fighting back images of him pinning her to the ground, eyes wild, voice terrifying. The broken shards in her foot from his glasses as she had kicked him in the face and tried to run, him cutting her off with the knife in hand.

She shook her head. Willing the memories away. Pausing she rubbed at her temples, surprised as she felt her cheeks warm with tears. She heard his footsteps stop a distance away. Opening her eyes she saw him looking at her, but he made no move to react. Just regarded her closely, a predator observing his prey.

She knew he was waiting for her to say something, to try to run. A hunter and a deer only the deer demon was the watchful hunter. There was no amusement, just skillful patience. Her tears didn't move him. He was only waiting for her next move.

"Why did you do that?" she finally muttered.

His mouth opened, but he closed it again, unsure. Finally he replied, "Well my dear I suppose even I make mistakes occasionally." A small radio laugh at his own joke which died into shamed silence. "My intention was to insinuate that we were romantically involved so you would perhaps be a bit more protected-"

"No," she cut him off. His mouth closed as he waited for her to continue. Those watchful eyes again. Analyzing her. She huffed. "Why didn't you…you could have just given me over to Vox."

He blinked.

"I mean all that stuff you agreed to was…I sold you out. Why not repay the favor?"

"Did you WANT-"

"NO."

He sighed. "I'm afraid that as infuriating as you are my darling, I owe you a debt. I couldn't do that to you. I've caused you enough travesty already to-"

"I still don't forgive you."

His eyes fell heavy lidded and he tugged at his ear. "I don't believe for a second that I deserve your forgiveness."

They stared at each other for a moment. Without another word she started walking again, the two falling into step. This time there was no humming.

"Sara," Alastor said softly, so quietly she could barely hear him. "I would never ask for your forgiveness but I hope you know it never was my intention to hurt you. Not you. It was an accident. And I know that I'll never be able to change what I've done or make it up to you, but there are few things I regret more than that night." She didn't respond.

"For what it's worth," he continued, "I truly never wanted to hurt you."

He heard her breath softly, "For what it's worth…I know that."

He chanced a glance at her. She didn't look at him but he saw a small upturn of her lip. He felt his mouth do the same.

"You didn't really eat me did you?"

He gave a bark of a laugh. "God no. A tough thing like you would have tasted terrible."

She breathed a small chuckle.

They didn't speak another word for the length of the walk home.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"-cuz I'M IN *hic* the Lord's army," a brazen voice floated towards Alastor and Sara as they made their way up the stairs to the hotel. A sour note on a saxophone and drunken cackles followed. Alastor cocked an eyebrow at the scene they came upon.

Nick and Angel were doing some hilariously performative march, bumping into each other, as Husker struggled to play his saxophone through his laughter.

"Wait wait WAIT," Angel howled, throwing two left arms over Nick's shoulder and around his waist. "Play the march one. The actual-"

"When the *hic* the ssssaints go marching in?" Nick slurred conspiratorially.

Husker was about to start playing when he caught sight of Alastor and Sara, souring another note in surprise.

"And what pray tell is this?" Alastor smirked, raising an eyebrow.

"We're *hic* protecting the hotel," Angel said dramatically, giving a thump to the actual angel's chest with one of his free hands.

Nick gave a mock salute before dissolving into laughter, reaching his own arm around Angel's shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

Alastor felt a strange pang at the sight of the two of them that he didn't understand. Had they not been so intoxicated they might have picked up on a faint crackle of static in the air. Sara, who did notice, darted her eyes at him but quickly looked away at the unreadable expression on his face.

"I suppose I never noticed how militaristic all this Godly music is," Nick laughed thoughtfully, dropping away from Angel and moving towards them. Alastor stiffened but Nick's eyes were on Sara anyways. "Welcome back to the fold, our wayward little sheep. You've caused quite a fuss around here."

Sara crossed her arms defiantly but Nick was nothing but warm in his slightly swaying smile. "It's good to see you both home safe. We celebrated early in case you can't tell." His eyes glittered and danced.

"So I see," Alastor murmured, surprising himself at a bite to his voice.

Nick didn't miss it and raised an eyebrow but Alastor ducked from his gaze, moving towards the steps, calling over his shoulder, "Everything has been resolved and we'll be protected until this little experiment is over."

"Well I suppose we can double down on both of our sheep coming to meetings then with no distractions?" Alastor froze and saw Nick eyeing him, a familiar smirk. Nick laughed and continued, "I think we've had some rather large breakthroughs with Angel and Husker. But you two evasive minks are too busy playing hanky panky apparently to worry about your own salvation."

Alastor didn't move.

"I beg your pardon?" Alastor said tightly.

"Well after your little show the cats out of the bag so to speak," Nick waved his hand causally, a lilty smile still on his face but his eyes were piercing. "I didn't realize you were being so difficult because there was an affair happening. I appreciate that you two sweethearts have found your own little heaven in hell but I must remind you that forsaking a chance at redemption-"

"We're not really-," Sara tried to cut in.

"And even if we were," Alastor said tightly, "I don't think my personal affairs matter in the whole scheme of this-"

"It's pass or fail Ali," Nick cut over him, a little sharper.

"And I'm exclusionary from the process." Alastor returned, equally as sharp.

Nick's eyes were now widened and dancing and his focus seemed to sober. He gave a dark chuckle. "Well regardless of whatever trouble you've managed to get yourself into this time, old friend, your girlfriend is still an important part of the arrangement."

"Sara needs to do her one on one," Alastor diverted, his eyes beginning to glow. "But I'll thank you to leave me out of things."

"You'll damn everyone else if-"

"I have an arrangement of my own. I'm sure your kind are more than aware."

Nick's eyes glowed white. "My how I've missed your little guessing games."

There was a flash of light, a cocoon of shadow, and both Nick and Alastor were gone.

Husker looked at Sara who gave a weak shrug. "We're not…it was just him trying to keep me protected or whatever."

Husker took a thoughtful drag of his bottle. "You're the girl who busted her head on the table right?"

She nodded sheepishly.

Husker held the bottle out. "No offense but I barely knew ya before I was coming to help him clean up. Didn't recognize you."

She moved to him on the steps, taking the bottle. "Yeah I didn't remember your name. Just that you always kept an Ace card in your sleeve."

He gave a bark of a laugh. And she felt herself laughing along.

"So you and smile's ain't actually like…" Angel chimed in from the grass.

She shook her head.

"Man it's a shame," Angel Dust started to sit up and seemed to think better of it, lying blearily back down. "I bet Bambi is a freak in the sheets. That crazy has to be good for something right?" They winced, laughing awkwardly.

"I mean obviously the angel would know?" Angel Dust laughed. Husker eyed him strangely and Angel Dust rolled his eyes. "C'mon pussy cat you can't tell? I'm surprised they didn't fog up the stainglassed door with all that sexual tension."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alastor rematerialized in his room and seconds after he heard the knock. His mouth twisted as he contemplated not answering it.

"I know you're in there Ali. I think I'm being more than polite by staying outside."

Alastor moved to the door but did not open it. "You're manners truly know no bounds," he sneered. He heard a faint laugh which only angered him more.

"Unless your goal is sabotage I need to know what you meant." Alastor didn't answer. "Always a knack for getting yourself into a fix," he heard Nick muse.

"I'm not opening the door."

"That's fine, but I'm not leaving."

Alastor gave a frustrated, staticky laugh. "The old hound dog smoking out a fox."

"Doing my best anyways." Alastor could hear the smile in his voice. Then a sigh. "Ali what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into? I'm not your enemy. And if you truly want to help you need to be transparent."

Alastor leaned against the door, emotions churning in his chest. He hesitated.

"Ali?"

"Part of the deal to get the angels to give us a chance was a bit of an arrangementl with Lucifer. He'd vouch for Charlotte if I stay here. I'm not a part of this little redemption experiment. Sold my soul to the devil so to speak."

There was a long pause before Nick's voice drifted softly through the door, sounding closer now. "Dreadfully gallant of you."

Alastor gave a huff of a laugh. "I think we both know I would have been the lame horse anyways. Too much to atone for."

There was no response. He leaned his forehead against the door and squeezed his eyes shut.

Finally, Nick's response came, feeling so close as if it were only the inch of oak between them. "Always a flair for the dramatics."

Alastor breathed a weak laugh.

"It's too bad isn't it," he heard Nick whisper. "I suppose this level of altruism that's damning you now is the one thing that could have had you ascended. Ironic how these little games always work."

"It wouldn't be altruistic any other way. No wendigo's in heaven," Alastor teased bleakly.

"Open the door."

Alastor hesitated. He traced the door knob with a clawed finger.

"Ali."

He opened the door and was nose to nose with Nick Davies. A warm light, a warm smile, and those dancing eyes. "Theeere he is," Nick whispered. "It's so strange to see you like this."

"A pathetic mess?"

"No, with antlers."

They both laughed.

"This new form of yours is definitely quite…different," Nick mused. "But I suppose it's still you under there somewhere."

"I believe the point is that this is the true me? What was lurking under the surface all along," he bared his teeth and raised a clawed hand dramatically, eyes glowing for effect. With a snap he was normal again, laughing at his own joke.

Nick gave an amused huff. "Well does the evil Wendigo still know how to make cocoa? Or did you sell that recipe to the devil as well?"

They both smiled, and with a flash of light and tendrils of shadow they had both teleported to the kitchen.

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Quick note. I know Alastor is cannonically Aesexual and I know some of you may be worried that it seems like this is moving a certain way. This relationship is more based in emotional intimacy. I'm playing with different kinds of relationships and there's a level of love and partnership I think fits without it necessarily being physically intimate (as you'll notice there connection is in their dialogue and obsersvations of each other but not anything in terms of touch or physique. But if I'm messing that up in anyway please let me know.