The next day, Alastor was slightly more communicative. As curious as Charlie was, she preferred not to ask about Alastor's night or even mention how he was loudly talking in his sleep to avoid more weird situations between them.

As they talked about, Alastor offered to go with Charlie to the hotel to check if Lorraine got the letter Charlie swore that she asked someone to deliver to her.

Alastor opened the door for Charlie and she shyly passed through it, bowing slightly her head as a 'thanks' to the brunette.

As they looked straight, Lorraine was filling a few documents behind the counter. She looked so concentrated that she didn't even look up for a moment. Alastor and Charlie walked to the counter, and as soon as Lorraine looked up, she showed a big smile.

"Charlie!" Lorraine dropped the pen she was holding to take Charlie's hand without even asking permission. "Where were you? Why did you just – Vanish?!"

Charlie's eyes widened for a moment as she looked down at their hands and then up, giving a slight giggle. "I… I had some problems that I had to leave town… You…" Charlie looked at Lorraine's eyes and squinted her own eyes in a curious and unsure expression. "You didn't get my packs or letters, did you?"

Lorraine blinked at Charlie, trying to recall anything. Then, she frowned her brows. "I'm sorry, sweetie, but I'm afraid not…" The woman closed the book that had a few signed documents on them. "When did you send them?"

"The day I didn't come back..." The blonde gave a little cough.

"The day you didn't show up, I was with Dean at the club." Lorraine explained and Charlie's eyes went to Alastor. She frowned.

So he did show up… And waited for her. At the end he had to go with Lorraine?

"There wasn't anyone here? You didn't get it the next day?" Charlie turned to Lorraine once again. If it wasn't there, she would have to go to the store that she had asked the saleswoman to deliver it from.

Lorraine leaned over the counter, placing her elbow over it and then her chin over her hand. Her fingers tapped gently on her face and the table.

"OH!" Lorraine widened her eyes. "Jerry. I left Jerry here!" The woman looked around until she spotted a tall blonde man. "Jerry, can you come here for a second?"

The man was sweeping the floor in the corner of the hallway. He left the broom on the corner and walked towards his boss.

"Yes, ma'am?" He adjusted his white shirt and gray suspenders. He had a moustache that covered his entire upper lip.

"Remember that day that I asked you to cover me? Hm, about a month ago?" Lorraine crossed her arms over the counter.

The man's eyes were a beautiful green color, but he looked tired and almost uninterested in what was happening there.

"Yes." He looked around and saw a blonde girl and a brunette guy. "When you went on a date with him." He pointed to Alastor, who raised his eyebrows. Charlie widened her eyes and looked up at him. So he had a date with Lorraine? Why did that bother Charlie?

"Yes, I mean, no. It wasn't a date." Lorraine fixed what Jerry said, but her voice got a little confused in her own sentence, sounding like even she wasn't sure if it was or wasn't a date. "But, tell me, is there anything like a letter delivered to me that day?"

"No." He replied without hesitation.

Lorraine looked at Charlie and frowned. "I'm so sorry, hun, but I believe your delivery never arrived at my hands."

Alastor looked at Charlie, even though he had a gentle smile on his face, Charlie could see he was bothered. He really thought she lied, didn't he?

"Just a few bags." Jerry completed and walked, passing by the counter and going to the back.

Lorraine followed the blonde with her eyes, confused.

A little hope then grew inside Charlie's chest, putting her hands over her chest. Her eyes widened and her brows frowned as she was so desperately hoping it was her bags with the letter. Alastor looked at Charlie from the corner of his eyes. She was truly trying to prove to him she was saying the truth, but why? She didn't have to prove anything for a 'stranger' like him.

Jerry came back with bags and Charlie soon recognized them.

"A-Dean! Those are my bags!" She held firmly in his arm, which surprised Alastor from the sudden touch.

"Those." Jerry placed them over the counter and without waiting he passed by to go back to his chores.

"Why didn't you tell me about these?" Lorraine narrowed her brows as she followed the man with her eyes.

"I did, but you were babbling about how awesome the night was that you didn't pay attention to me." He shrugged and got his broom again to continue to sweep the floor.

Lorraine's eyes widened and felt her cheeks getting warm. She looked at Charlie and Dean and she giggled. "Well, it has been awhile since I had been invited to dance, so…" She trailed off before changing the direction of the conversation the best she could. "Let's see... These are yours, Charlie?"

Charlie nodded, still holding Alastor's arm and hoping the letter was there.

"Well, then. Please, take a look." Lorraine slid the bags to Charlie, who abruptly opened them. The first one didn't have anything, but the second-

"Here!" She got the little envelope written 'To Lorraine, please deliver this to Dean.' Attached to that there was a small paper that Charlie handed to Lorraine while keeping the envelope to herself.

Lorraine got the paper and looked to Charlie, who gave a little nod to read it out loud. And then, she looked at Dean before giving her attention to the paper.

"Lorraine, this is Charlie. I might have to disappear for a while and I'm so sorry for that, but I promise I will try to come back as soon as possible. If you can, keep my belongings somewhere safe. You can reoccupy the room. Just keep my stuff safe so I can pick them up later. Love, Charlie." Lorraine slowly put down the paper and shyly handed it to Dean.

"I did keep your stuff safe. They are in the back of the staff room… Would you like to stay here again, dear?"

"Yes, please… If that's okay." Charlie hugged herself and smiled at Lorraine.

"Okay, do you need your room now? Or can I prepare it for the night?"

"I would like to have my room now. I don't want to bother Mister Dean here-" Charlie put her hand over the counter so she could sign the check in that Lorraine was getting from one of the books. But she was interrupted by Alastor.

"You can prepare it for the night, Lorraine." Alastor's hand was over Charlie's, which made the girl freeze. "Don't need to make Lorraine rush. It's still early and we must have lunch, so would you like to have lunch with me?" He asked politely.

"Yes!" Charlie replied quickly without thinking.

"Fair enough. Lorraine, thank you for enlightening us. Now, if you will excuse us." Alastor offered his arm to Charlie, who soon embraced it, hugging it against herself.

Lorraine was a little confused but waved at the two before they excited the hotel. Charlie held the envelope in her hands.

"Aren't you uncomfortable?" Charlie asked as they started to walk.

"Why would I be, dear?" His gaze stayed fixed on the street as they walked, but Charlie couldn't look away from the brunette.

"Because you thought I lied to you and because I left you waiting for me that day." She pouted her lips and hugged his arm even tighter.

"I did think you just let me wait that day, but it seems your story is true after all. Also, I would like to read your letter at our lunch if that's okay." He said and looked at the envelope she was holding.

"Of course- I just hope after this-" She shook the envelope a little in the air. "You will look normally at me again." She gave a weak giggle.

"What do you mean?" He raised his eyebrow looking forward to the street.

"You know, Al. You have been avoiding looking at me since I came back and you can't lie about it. I know it's true." She lowered her head a bit and looked away.

The silence took advantage of their walk, hurting Charlie even more. He wasn't admitting nor denying it.

"If you don't want to admit it, that's okay, but I just really hope things will go back to normal and-" Before she continued she felt a presence, a strong presence. Her eyes widened and she saw the man again… The same man who captured her and brought her back to her home.

"And?" Alastor broke the silence.

Charlie froze and stopped moving. The man was far away from her, but he was walking towards them. He didn't see the two yet.

"Charlie?" Alastor was obligated to stop as she froze in place. "Are you-"

Before Alastor could continue, Charlie pulled him abruptly towards an alley by their side. She slammed her back against the wall and pulled Alastor by the bowtie to connect his body against hers.

"What-" He was about to ask when she pulled him even closer, almost connecting their lips.

"Please, Al. Just play along. Please, I promise I won't kiss you. Just pretend you are kissing me. Please, Al." Her eyes were desperate as she pleaded with him.

The fear in her eyes made Alastor wonder what was actually happening, but he decided to play along as she asked. He would NEVER do that, but something in Charlie's eyes made him tempted to help her.

Charlie's hands were shaking and slid over Alastor's neck, holding him. "Please put your hands over me, please." The fear in her voice was intriguing to him.

Alastor was quiet for a few seconds. She was really scared. The fear she was feeling at that moment was as clear as the daylight. He nodded.

"Excuse me." He placed his hands over the sides of her body.

"Slide your hands up and down, and move your head a little, or better, just follow me." She whispered to him and started to move her head, her blonde hair was covering the side of their faces, so they didn't have their lips together.

Alastor clumsily started to move his hands over her. At first, he was extremely bothered with it, but the more he did, the more he became concentrated on the movement.

Charlie was so tense, feeling that 'aura' growing because the man was getting closer. With a snap of her fingers, her hair changed completely. Now it was all black, and shorter than before. She was so close to Alastor that he didn't even notice.

She felt the presence staring at them for a moment. Then, she began to make 'kiss' sounds with her lips. It was ridiculous, but looked extremely real for someone who was outside of that 'disaster'.

Alastor continued to slide up and down his hands over her body. The more he did that, the more he was paying attention to other stuff. He, in fact, never touched anyone like that. And the idea always bothered him, but it was quite interesting to 'feel' Charlie's shape. It was – entertaining for him, somehow.

She glued her nose against his, still making the sounds. Then, she gently scratched the back of his neck. Her eyes were looking to her side all the time.

Her lips were blowing a little hot breath against his as the scratch made him shiver. That was a completely new feeling for him.

As the presence went away, Charlie was slowly stopping and her hair was turning to its original color again. Slowly she looked at the man that held her in his arms.

Her cheeks started to grow warm at how close he was. Alastor was so concentrated on the new touches that he started to breathe with his mouth...They were so close...

For a hot minute, Charlie forgot completely about the man who she was afraid of and her eyes connected with Alastor's. She- She could just kiss him, right there, couldn't she?

His hands were exploring the side of her body in a way she was getting slightly hot. He was pressing his fingers against her body and she scratched his neck again causing a shiver from Alastor. She was enthralled by the man and his touches as she was leaning slowly against him.

She was free… She could do that. She could kiss another man since she and Seviathan ended their relationship, right?

But- Alastor was just helping her. If she did anything, she was going to take advantage of the situation and she promised she wouldn't kiss him anyways. She didn't want to take advantage of his good intentions.

"I think we are safe now." She whispered to him as she started to caress where she scratched.

He didn't seem to pay attention to what she said, he continued to explore her body with his hands.

"Al-?" She rubbed her nose against his. She was almost closing her eyes and let her desires get the best of her when he 'woke up'.

"Huh?"

"We can stop." She gave a shy smile and then he chuckled, slowly getting away from her.

"I apologize I didn't hear you at first." He adjusted his collar and bowtie while Charlie adjusted her clothes.

"Don't worry I think we're safe now." She leaned to the side so she could see the street. The man vanished and she could no longer sense his aura.

"Safe, you say?" Alastor looked confused, and for once, he couldn't get his eyes off her.

"I-I think it's better for us to find a place to have lunch and then I will tell you everything. After you read this." She still had her envelope between her fingers, which she raised so he could see it too.

"Sure, sure." He adjusted his shirt sleeves and offered his arm again. She hugged it once again before they proceed their path.

They finally arrived at a restaurant. They entered and had their seats. Of course, Alastor pulled the chair for Charlie before getting his seat.

They had their orders taken by the waitress and they finally could talk.

"Here, read it." She gave the envelope to him. He opened it, adjusting his glasses over his face.

'Dear, Dean. I'm writing this very fast so I apologize for my bad handwriting. I was out of the hotel to get a nice outfit, but there's something I didn't quite tell you.

Remember I said I need a break from my home? Yes, in fact, neither my parents nor my fiancé knows I'm here in New Orleans. I ran away from home because I couldn't handle it anymore.

Now, when I was getting the outfit for our night at the club, a man… A huge intimidating man is after me. I know it's one of my father's employees and if he finds out I'm here, I will never be able to go back to this wonderful city.

So, I will have to run away to another place or go back home. If I do come back to my home I will have to be there for – I don't know how long, but I promise you, I will be back.

I'm so sorry for not saying a proper goodbye… Maybe it's because I don't want to accept it's a goodbye. Let's make it a 'I'll see you soon'. Because I do want to see you again.

I hope Lorraine delivers you this letter and once I'm back, I will tell you in detail what happened. Please, don't be angry or sad.

See you soon, my dear friend. Love, Charlie.'

All the doubts Alastor was having fell at that exact moment. He looked up to Charlie and placed the letter over the table.

"They… He… Did that to you?" He put his hand over the table and looked at her eyes.

"Did what?" She wasn't quite sure what he meant.

"Yesterday, the way you showed up at my door." He looked serious for the first time.

"N-No! I tripped and fall in mud and-"

"Charlie, it was blood, you were covered in blood." Alastor was staring at Charlie.

"It wasn't—"

"Charlie…"

Charlie looked down for a moment, quietly.

"I know it was blood. You don't need to lie to me." Alastor completed.

"How did you know?" Her eyes rose, she looked scared and shy once again.

"I'm a hunter, I know how blood looks, how it stains, and how it smells."

"I mean… Y-Yes and no. I had an accident coming here, I think I stepped on a dead animal that some other animal attacked, but-" She looked away for a second.

"I had an argument with my fiancé before, and he did… Hurt me a little bit." The more she spoke the softer it came out. She was almost whispering to herself.

"That's why you are running from the man in the street."

"Yes… And it seems he is near the hotel. If they catch me, Al, I won't be able to return so soon… And I really don't want to leave." Charlie's eyes were slowly watering. They were shining more than before. She was afraid and terrified.

The silence got the best of the table.

Alastor finally broke it. "So, stay with me." He smiled at her.

He did enjoy Charlie's company, but he didn't know why he offered such a thing or why he empathized so much with Charlie.

"At least for a while." He concluded. He wasn't sure if it was going to work out anyways.

"N-No, I don't want to bother you. I can look for another place—"

"I insist." He was insisting… Why was he insisting?

"If that's okay with you, then I would love to. But how can I repay you?" Shefinished letting the excitement slip into her voice.

"Not hiding stuff from me is a good beginning." He chuckled and she giggled right after.

"Fair enough." She looked up at him with an adorable smile.

"We will get your stuff at Lorraine's hotel as soon as we finish." He said with a smile as the waitress brought them their orders.

"Okay!" She smiled bigger. "But if I bother you, any time, please tell me and I will be right back at the hotel in a blink!"

"I will, don't worry." He smiled at her and raised his glass. "Let's toast! To your freedom in New Orleans!"

Charlie's eyes shone as she grabbed her glass and raised it happily. "To my freedom here in this wonderful city!"

They toasted and chuckled at each other.

That maybe was a crazy idea, going to be in the house of someone she barely knows, but her heart and mind wanted it. Plus, she knew how to handle herself very well, or that's what she believed.

Alastor was a gentleman with her until now, and something was growing inside Charlie's chest. Maybe it was trust or maybe something more. She was getting interested in this human, wasn't she?

_

Corrections:

Beta Readers:

Angel: angie_bun

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