Alastor stood there, his eyes widened, heart pounding fast as he was frozen.

He did surprise Charlie, but he wasn't expecting this reaction from her. Other women tried to do what Charlie was doing and he would never let them. On the other hand, now, with Charlie, he couldn't move, he couldn't do anything. His heart pounded so fast like this in only ONE other circumstance.

Charlie's arms were around Alastor's neck, she was waiting for him to reciprocate but he didn't do anything, no move, nothing at all. She kissed him by an impulse of happiness, to show how grateful she was, but now, after noticing she just 'did it'; her heart was pounding fast and the self-doubt and regret started to act up. Shyly, Charlie removed her lips from his, but in one desperate move, she gave him another quick peck. She was so afraid to have to see his disapproval face, that maybe it was better just to try again? She didn't think it straight, and it seemed to make things worse, since, again, he didn't reciprocate.

Alastor was still frozen, should he place his hands over her back, act on these feelings for the first time? For a brief moment he remembered how he felt over the alley with her… His uneasy hands were slowly getting closer to her back when they stopped. Charlie was engaged… What was he thinking? Also, he never was interested in that kind of affection, or affection at all in the first place, why was he even considering it this time?

Alastor placed his hands over her waist, which made Charlie feel less tense. Relief trickled through Charlie as he finally did something. Charlie was about to deepen the kiss when he gently pulled her away from him.

"I'm happy you liked it, dear, but… I think it was a bit too much." He said with a gentle smile. His face was basically covered with Charlie's lipstick marks, especially over his lips.

"I-" She didn't know where to shove her face. She felt her chest burning and her face as well. All she wanted was to hide ANYWHERE else than there. "You- you're right… I… Shouldn't have done that." She giggled, stepping away from him and looking away.

"That's fine, just… It was just an accident. And probably you miss your fiancé." He nodded, visibly bothered. It was because of the situation, but also because of Charlie's fiancé. He remembered well how Charlie was hurt when she came back, and once she revealed it was the fiancé who did that, Alastor just… Didn't quite like the fellow even without knowing him.

"I-…" She wanted to tell the truth, that she wasn't with him anymore, but the fear of Alastor thinking she was there just to try something with him grew on her. "Let's just forget about it..." She looked away and then looked behind her. "Thank you, for the tools…" She gave a small giggle and faced the easel.

"You are welcome. I will prepare our lunch. If you want to help me with it –" Before Alastor could finish, Charlie interrupted him.

"I will be here for now, just want to see the tools." She had her back to him, not even looking at the man.

"Alright," He adjusted his glasses and left the room.

The silence filled the place while Charlie was looking at the white canvas in front of her. She… It has been ages since she felt what she was feeling.

Those hellish ravens inside her stomach just to think what happened and how Alastor didn't reciprocate. She should have asked before, but… She didn't even think about it. She did it purely by emotion and how happy she was from the gift.

No one ever supported her with her 'silly' hobbies, as others always called it.

She sighed and placed her hand over the brushes, taking one and placing it over the canvas. There was no paint on the brush, she just wanted to feel the sensation of it. The brush was soft and made her smile. She placed it over her hand to feel it.

While she was feeling and looking at the brush, she stopped to think again. She should… Give up on this feeling, shouldn't she? What if Alastor didn't like women? That was a possibility, right? Just like her, after all she liked women and men... But at the same time, he didn't push her away immediately.

Probably he didn't like it, but what if...?

Charlie giggled and shook her head. She felt like a teenager again, having feelings she forgot existed inside her. The blonde's hand went to her lips, they were still hot from the kiss, even if she wasn't reciprocated, it was good for her to feel him that close.

Alastor was preparing their lunch, it would be gumbo, a typical Louisiana dish. He was chopping the veggies like celery, onions, bell pepper and parsley. His eyebrows were frowned while he was trying to understand what he felt back then.

Usually he would just push anyone – gently – away, and get extremely uncomfortable and angry. But he froze with Charlie. He just 'forgot' what to do. His heart rushed… It was slightly similar to the sensation he usually liked the most.

The thing that made him more uncomfortable was the fact he was even considering trying; She was engaged and he never felt this before. It really bothered him somehow.

Alastor finished chopping the veggies and got a pan to brown the chopped sausage. Also, thinking about the whole thing was a waste of time and it made him uneasy, which he hated.

Now, all he had to do was concentrate on making enough gumbo for both of them, so they could enjoy it for dinner and maybe the next day as well.

The time passed and after their lunch, Alastor suggested they go out, so they could break the ice between them. The lunch was silent and awkward, even if they both tried to talk about anything, it felt weird since the things 'just happened'.

Charlie accepted; it probably would be good for them to forget what just happened.

So, they did. Alastor guided Charlie to find some new stores in the city and they stopped to get ice cream. They were slowly talking more to each other during the day. Charlie could sense how far away Alastor was still, but tried to not let it get the best of her.

"Do you want to go dancing after we finish here?" Alastor asked as he finished his ice cream and cleaned his lips with a napkin.

Charlie's eyes went up, with a small and shy smile. "Yes… Yes, I do." Charlie smiled at him, taking another bite of her ice cream.

The blonde wanted to dance with him. The day itself was weird, even if they were hanging out, they were still awkward with each other, quieter than normal. She hurried to finish her ice cream, really wanting to dance.

Alastor raised his eyebrows at how fast she finished and then blinked a few times. "Well, I guess we can go?" He chuckled and offered his arm.

"Yes, please." She instantly hugged his arm, pressing it against her cheek. All day she didn't touch him, now she was happy to be able to dance with him and she didn't even notice what she did.

But Alastor did, he noticed but, truth be told, he was missing Charlie hugging his arm. He silently chuckled and started to walk with her.

It didn't take so long for them to arrive there. Alastor opened the door for Charlie, and she gave a little nod, thanking him as she entered. Alastor followed behind her. People were already dancing; some people were close to the small bar.

Charlie went to the dancing floor, looking back at Alastor as he walked towards her. He already raised his hand so she could hold it. She intertwined her fingers with his, and placed her other hand over his shoulder.

"Excuse me." He said before placing his hand over her waist.

"You don't need to ask permission, Al. We are here to dance, that's fine." Charlie whispered to him, with a big smile on her face.

He nodded. "Sorry, dear. I'm used to asking permission." He smiled back at her, starting to move his body and lead her.

"I know, and this is adorable." She admitted with a gentle smile towards him. She followed his movements and her heart was pounding fast. She was so excited to be able to dance with him. If it depended only on her, she would dance with him every day.

At first they started with something slower, since the music was slower. Both of them connected very well with the music, and both of them liked to dance.

The first song ended, and the next one started. It was way more agitated and happier than the other one. Charlie and Alastor separated themselves to dance better, always with their eyes connected with each other.

Alastor was throwing his feet just like Charlie, both of them have big smiles on their faces. With the songs passing by and getting even more up-beat, they started to really dance. The connection they had when they were dancing made, again, a few people mesmerize the couple.

Charlie had her hand together with Alastors, when he tossed her. She didn't hold her weight, her body being sustained by Alastor holding her hand.

He pulled her back towards himself and Charlie's body spun, making his arm wrap around her and the back of her body pressed onto his front. She turned her head towards him.

Once again, he was so close… His body warmth made her shiver. She looked up for a moment and then she touched his jawline with her nose, making a little caress.

The more contact Charlie and Alastor had, the more she noticed how cozy she felt in his arms. It seemed so right for her.

Alastor, on the other hand, raised his eyebrows from the new 'touch' from Charlie. It wasn't bad, it was… New. No one ever did that to him.

The music changed, a slower one began. They stayed in the position. Alastor tried to figure out why Charlie felt different in his embrace while Charlie began to 'rock' her body, slowly to the sides.

Her hand was still holding his, and she made his hand slide down her waist, making his arm cross her body and hold her even tighter.

He widened his eyes, Charlie was just dancing, right? He began to rock his body with hers which made her smile.

Alastor frowned his eyebrows from how this new sensation felt. Charlie felt small in his arms, and it wasn't bad, it was… Actually, kind of good. He tried to look at her, and when he did that, their noses touched, making Charlie open her eyes, blushing and smiling.

She shouldn't do it, especially by how awkward they were earlier that day, but she couldn't resist. It just felt right for her.

Alastor felt his heart starting to pound fast. The way he felt it pounding reminded him of the particular event where he felt the same. But why was he feeling that there? In that particular situation?

He slowly released Charlie and spun her, 'breaking' that moment of contact.

Charlie widened her eyes, a bit confused, but then smiled and came back for his embrace. She placed her arms around his neck, just like the other people dancing around them.

"The music is slower, if you want to wait for the other one, or a more up-beat one, we can go drink something." She suggested. She didn't want to push him for something he didn't want to do.

Alastor looked around, everyone was dancing yet, the men had their both hands on the waist of their partners, or one over their waist and the over their backs.

The brunette just nodded his head and placed his hands over her waist.

He was quieter than before, which bothered Charlie a bit. She knew things were weird, and the dance didn't help at all, but she wanted to do something.

"Can I go with you to your work tomorrow?" She shyly smiled at him.

"Of course, dear." His hands over her waist weren't firm, it felt like he was a little shy of the new dance they were doing.

"Thank you, also, can I help you with dinner tonight?" She didn't want them to be this quiet.

"Sure, you can." He started to stop focusing so much on their bodies' proximity and focused more on their conversation. "I didn't know you would like it that much." He smiled at her.

"As I said, I always have curiosity, but never had someone to actually teach me. It's a very nice change from home." She giggled, holding her wrist behind his neck, slowly pressing even more of her body against his.

"I was raised differently. At first, my parents didn't want me to cookl." Alastor was looking at her, but his eyes seemed… far; he was remembering something, at least that's what it felt like. "I remember my old man saying I didn't need to learn a woman's task." He chuckled and shook his head.

"Why did your father say such a thing?" She tilted her head confused.

"He was raised in a different era. My mother didn't like the way he talked at first, but then, after my father caught me and my mother cooking together, we thought he would be mad, but he actually asked to join us." His eyes weren't focusing on anything, he was so concentrated on the flashbacks he was having, that he didn't even look at Charlie, even though his eyes were in her direction.

"So, he ended up trying to learn the 'women's task'?" Charlie smiled.

"Oh yes, he said he liked to see how me and my mother looked happy together and wanted to participate. After that, he brought me to hunt with him. I must say I got the best of them. My mother was an excellent cook, and my father an excellent hunter." His eyes finally focused on Charlie.

"I bet your parents were just as nice as you." She smiled and slowed the dance. "But where are they now?"

Alastor got quieter, that was the first time Charlie saw the man's expression get slightly sad. It was for a second, before he smiled again. If she wasn't looking at him, she wouldn't have even noticed.

"They're gone, but don't worry, dear. They are probably in a better place, as my father used to believe." He rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"I'm sorry…." Her hand slid up to the back of his neck, caressing it. "Sorry for bringing the subject up, Al."

Alastor's eyes widened, he was about to say something before Charlie interrupted him.

"But I'm pretty sure they are proud of the amazing man you became." She smiled, caressing his hair with the tips of her fingers.

"Thank you, dear." He shivered with her touch, but once again, it wasn't bad, it actually was slightly nostalgic for him.

He smiled at her, and Charlie looked at him. Charlie then realized something, he was opening up to her, she should open up for him as well… She should tell him about how she ended up with her fiancé.

"Al… I-" She started with her voice trembling a bit, and it was so low, that Alastor didn't hear at all.

The music changed to a more festive song.

"I like this song." He smiled at her and released the girl. "Would you like to dance this last one with me, before we go back home?" He bowed a bit, offering his hand to her.

Charlie bit her lips, she should tell him… But maybe it wasn't the right time, yet.

"Yes." She nodded and placed her hand over his.

They finished the dance and went back home. Alastor had helped to cook their meal. They had dinner while listening to music, thanks to Al, who turned on his gramophone.

Charlie was the first to take a bath, and right after Alastor. Charlie was waiting for Alastor in the living room, more precisely at the couch. She got one book, the cover was a dark red with a dark green on the edge.

She wasn't reading, just looking at its pages.

Alastor got out of the shower, with his robe covering his pajamas under it and went to the living room. He was about to turn off the lights when he noticed Charlie was still there.

"Oh, I thought you were in your room." He said with a smile, approaching her.

"I am not tired yet, and I was just checking your bookshelf." She giggled and looked up.

"You got one of my favorites, as I can see." He smiled and slowly walked towards her. Charlie was in her robe as well, she knew Alastor felt uncomfortable when she was wearing just her nightgown.

"Your favorite?" She closed the book and read its cover. 'The Raven and other Poems. – Poe." She read out loud while Alastor sat by her side.

"Yes." He pointed out. "The Author is very good. Maybe it is not your kind of read, but, if you ever want to try. Feel free to." He smiled.

"Can you read it to me?" She suddenly asked, looking back at him.

"Huh? Now?" He was quite confused.

"Yes, I – as many others – love your voice." She smiled. "And It would be very nice to hear you reading something you like." Charlie offered the book to him and he looked down, then up to her, taking the book.

"Alright, I will read a little bit for you then." He chuckled and opened the book as he adjusted his posture.

Charlie suddenly passed her head under one of his arms, so she could be in his embrace while he held the book. This made Alastor feel very confused.

"I want to look at it better, while you read." She shyly giggled, afraid of him being uncomfortable.

"S-Sure." He chuckled, frowning his eyebrows. Alastor adjusted himself once again, now with Charlie in his 'embrace.' He coughed a bit to fix his voice before starting to read.

As Alastor was reading for her, Charlie felt her body get slightly tired, his voice was so soothing for her, that it made her feel sleepy even though she wasn't before.

As he was starting another poem, he felt Charlie's body becoming more and more heavy against his chest. Once he ended the poem, he looked down to see Charlie asleep on his chest.

He chuckled and placed the book on the side table, resting his hand over the side of her body. The blonde was adorable, and looked peaceful. Her golden hair shone. For a moment he rested his head over hers.

She smelled good, so good that he touched her hair with his cheek. It was her hair, definitely. The silence and the position made Alastor relax, starting to get sleepy as well.

Without thinking further, he hugged her with both arms, and touched her hair with his lips, rubbing it against her hair with a slight kiss, just like his mother used to do.

But when he did that, he froze and widened his eyes. He just kissed her hair? All the sleepy feelings he had just ran away from his body. Why did he even do that?!

Alastor didn't want to wake up Charlie, even if he was freaking out a bit, he was thankful she wasn't waking up to notice what had happened. He tried his best to get up without moving the girl too much.

Usually, when he slept on the couch, his mother took him over her arms and placed him in his bed. Should he do the same with Charlie?

It wouldn't be very polite of him to leave her on the couch, or just wake her up, right? Also he did that before, when she passed out, so it wouldn't be a problem, right?

He, carefully, took her in his arms, bringing her to her room and placing her in bed. He wouldn't remove her robe, because of obvious reasons, but he did get the covers and covered her.

As he was covering her, Charlie made a cute little sleepy noise and smiled. He looked up at her for a brief moment. A flashback of earlier that day passed through his mind. The way she was happy with the painting supplies, and the way she thanked him. It was wrong, first because of her fiancé, second because… It was awkward.

He looked back at her, she was still smiling and sleeping. He looked down at her lips and squinted his eyes. Why the event early didn't bother him as much as it usually would? Why was he getting used to having her around and touching him?

Why was he there, seeing her sleep, and thinking about all of these while looking at her lips already made his heart pound faster?

He remembered another thing, another flashback, this time it was about them in the alley.

The slight desire to try to, just… Try. He remembered that, how he wondered how it was, since he never had interest in first place in any of this romantic stuff.

When he came back from his thoughts, he noticed how close his face was of hers. How he could feel her breath and how the curiosity grew on him. He frowned his eyebrows and backed up. That was ridiculous. She had a fiancé, and even if she hadn't it was ridiculous.

He got up, feeling his heart racing. What was he thinking after all? He never felt that, and… Now, it was bothering him. He was getting anxious, with a rush of thoughts in his mind. He stepped back and left her room. He closed the door carefully and then felt his body trembling.

Why was his heart racing like that… The rush of his thoughts, why was it good to feel? Alastor was taking large, but quiet steps towards his room.

He looked between his bed and the wardrobe under the window. He placed his hand over his chest. His heart was racing, it was racing a lot and his thoughts were all about Charlie and how bothered he was now.

Slowly he went towards the wardrobe, placing his hands over it and leaning, his head went down, releasing its weight on his shoulders.

He pursed his lips, tapping his finger tips against the wooden wardrobe. He was looking down. He needed to feel this emotion, he needed and desired to feel his heart pounding fast until he could calm down. He needed to make it stop…

He slightly hit the wooden material as if he had decided; he knew what he should do.

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Angel: angie_bun