They were back at his house having lunch together after Alastor made the meal with Charlie's help. She was getting better at helping him with those things. After they finished, Charlie remembered something.
"Oh, I almost forgot." She turned to her chair and got her purse. She took out a small package and placed it on the center of the table. "I got two cookies, and thought we could share." She smiled at him and took one for herself.
"That's very nice of you, dear. Thank you." He smiled and got the other cookie to taste it.
She gave him a little smile, watching him appreciate the dessert.
"So, what do you want to do today?" She was enjoying the cookie while she adjusted her posture in the chair to look at him.
"Well, it depends, what do you want to do?" He cleaned his lips with the napkin and took a sip of his strawberry juice.
"I-" Want to be with you. That sounded too needy in her head. "Do you want to walk around the city? Maybe dance?" She smiled at him.
"We can, but what about your painting dear?" He tilted his head, finishing his cookie and crossing his arms over the table.
"I… I don't know." She giggled.
"Don't know?" He looked confused and frowned his eyebrows.
"Yes, I don't know what to paint." She gave a shy bite over the cookie.
"I see… There's any particular reason?"
'Yes' She wanted to say, but she contained herself. "No… I'm just lacking inspiration." She weakly smiles at him.
"Mphmmm." He pursed his lips and looked at her; he was trying to read her.
"What?" She leaned back as he leaned closer to her and placed his hand over his own chin.
She didn't receive a reply. "Is… Everything okay, Al?" She tried to put her hand over her face. Was she dirty or something?
She still didn't get any reply from him. It was starting to worry her.
"I know!" He raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes as he got up and walked to her room.
Charlie stretched her neck to try to see the corridor where he was going.
Not so long after, he came back with the easel, the empty canvas and placed it right by the couch's side.
"Here." He said before going away again to get the rest of the stuff, like the stool and the supplies.
"Today is a beautiful day, maybe you need more inspiration somewhere brighter." He smiled. "If you want, I can bring it outside as well."
Charlie's eyes started to shine. He was trying to help her with her lack of inspiration? It was a small gesture, but still so… Caring.
"It's perfect where it is." She said with a soft voice, placing her free hand over her chest. "Thank you Al."
He simply smiled at her and adjusted his hair. He came back to the table and was about to get their empty plates when Charlie held his hand.
"Can I ask you something?" Charlie's eyes were shining at him, which made him lock his eyes' sight on hers.
"Sure." He was feeling more comfortable with her touches and he was mesmerizing her eyes.
"I – Can you stay with me while I paint?" She unconsciously caressed his hand with her thumb.
Alastor felt his heart jumped in his chest for a moment. Why was it getting so constant?
He looked around and then outside. "Hmm…"
"If you can't, that's okay—" Before she could complete what she had to say, he stopped her.
"Of course." He smiled and caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "If it makes you comfortable, I can keep you company today." He gave a small kiss over her hand and it made Charlie blush.
"Thank you, Al." She appreciated his kiss while looking at him.
Once again, that stupid feeling of kissing her hand caught his attention even more as he left his lips there for a while.
Instead, in a clumsy way, he placed his hand over her cheek to squeeze it, since it was turning red. Why did he do it? It was a failed attempt to take his focus out of her hand. He panicked internally a bit. Charlie rubbed her cheek against his hand. Even if he was squeezing her cheek, she started to enjoy feeling his cold touch. It made Alastor even more tense, because once again, that feeling wasn't that bad at all…
"How about you start to paint, while I clean up our meal?" He released her hand gently, and her face, to collect the plates.
"S-Sure!" She smiled as she got up in a blink. She walked towards the canvas and sat on the stool, just to notice her water container had no water.
She got up and walked to the kitchen's sink, where Alastor was already starting to clean the dishes.
Even though she was shy and flustered for now, for a moment she forgot she wasn't home. She did something she used to do in the presence of her parents.
She went down his arms and got up between them, basically she was between his body and the sink. Alastor felt his cheeks going extremely red as he let his head go down a bit facing the blonde's hair. He had to stop what he was doing and hold the sink.
She was just filling the glass as if there was nothing happening.
Alastor didn't even know what to say, he was so flustered with the sudden situation that all he could do was wait for her to finish what she had to do.
It didn't take so long until she passed under his arm to go to the canvas.
Alastor sighed in relief, even though he was still red and flustered. He was going to pretend nothing happened.
Charlie was sketching stuff over the canvas, but nothing was enough for her.
Alastor finished cleaning the plates, and the rest of the dishes, and went to the gramophone. He placed a record on it and it started to play. He walked to his bookshelf and took one from the shelf, proceeding to sit on the couch right by her side.
Charlie still wasn't able to sketch anything. She didn't know, should she paint an object? Should she paint what she saw out of the window?
She looked at the window, the sky was bright blue and birds were singing. Her eyes returned back inside the house, looking around to seek inspiration, until her gaze caught Alastor.
He was peacefully reading a book and… The lights from the backyard and the window door gave a very good silhouette of him. That was what she wanted to paint.
She got off the stool and turned the easel and canvas to his direction which made him look at her.
"I will paint you." She said with a triumphant smile.
"Me?" He widened his eyes in surprise.
"Yes, I feel like it!" She sat on the stool and then looked at him. "I mean… if that's okay?"
"Of course, dear. I can be your model; can I keep reading this book or do you want me to turn to you?" He smiled at her.
"You can read; I want to paint you reading." She gently smiled at him and he nodded, turning his focus to the book in his hands.
As Charlie started sketching him on the canvas, she noticed how his features were beautiful, not like she didn't notice it before, but… Now drawing him she could take a better look.
Charlie bit her lower lip, even without showing any expression he still had a strong expression in his face. Alastor was very expressive when he wanted to be. That moment he wasn't even trying. She smiled and gave a little giggle. He was adorable.
Time passed and Alastor stretched his neck, tilting his head to the sides and stretching his legs.
Soon he turned a little bit to watch Charlie who was concentrating on the canvas. He laid his head against the back of the couch with a gentle smile.
He felt something new, at least new for him, a cozy feeling for being just watching the blonde. He was admiring her, wasn't he? He couldn't even hide his smile while watching her. She had this adorable concentrated face where, for some reason, she held her breath a bit, 1 or 2 seconds and her cheeks got filled with air.
He never saw anyone do that before. Charlie was making the shapes on the painting when she was about to look at Alastor. Her eyes widened from surprise that he was looking at her.
"Well, hello." She said with a shy voice.
"Hey, how's the painting going so far?" He had a warm and cozy smile on his face.
"Pretty good, you are a very good model." She smiled at him, leaving the brush aside for a while, inside the water container.
"It's kind of new for me." He chuckled and then looked to the ceiling for a moment.
"Are you tired?" Charlie tilted her head. She didn't notice but they were quiet for a few hours. Even the music had stopped hours ago. The night was slowly arriving as the orange light was entering the room.
"A little bit, but I can stay here like this if you want." He looked at her again.
"To be honest?" She stretched her back and arms. "I think I need to sit down a little somewhere so I can rest my back."
She chuckled while she was getting up and sat by his side. She laid her head against the back of the couch, resting her neck and turning her attention to him.
Alastor did the same, looking at her. "I must say, you are adorable when concentrated, dear." He smiled.
"When I'm concentrating...?" She 'repeated' what he said, tilted her head a bit, giggling.
"Yes, you puff your cheeks. It's adorable." He tried to imitate, and for Charlie he looked adorable as well.
"Like this?" She puffed her cheeks and he chuckled more.
"Yes, exactly." He closed his hands over his thighs. "I could even-" He placed his hands over her cheeks and squeezed them. "Squeeze it." He chuckled and Charlie giggled.
Alastor squeezed her cheeks gently and in a goofy way. Charlie was giggling and feeling her cheeks getting red.
As Alastor was squeezing, his eyes went down to her lips. He thought about how her lips felt the other day, and how he… Could try, right? There's nothing big in a kiss. Also she wasn't with her fiancé anymore, so as Phillip said, she was single.
Without noticing he was bringing her closer to him and his smile was fading slowly as he concentrated on his own thoughts.
Charlie froze as she noticed he was stopping and getting closer to her. Her heart started to race in her chest. Was he about to kiss her?
His mind was wandering now. She hung out with Phillip, maybe he shouldn't try… Their noses touched each other; Charlie even adjusted her posture for him. She could give in to the impulse, but she wanted him to do it by himself since the last time he said 'stop'.
Alastor frowned a bit, lost in her lips. What if she enjoyed Phillip's company like all the other girls in the office? If he kissed her, he would take it away from her. Also he would be going back on what he said? He asked her to not do it again and there he was, pulling her closer and closer to him.
What got into him? He never did it, he never wondered about a simple kiss as he was wondering now.
Alastor slowly backed away and the little shine in Charlie's eyes began to fade. Why so close, but then… back away?
Charlie's hands closed, she wanted to pull him back and say it was okay, but… She promised herself…
"It's getting dark." He pointed out as he looked out the window.
"Yeah…" She was slightly hurt, because she desires to continue that moment.
"I should prepare dinner. Just reheat stuff." He smiled and released her as he got up to walk to the kitchen.
Charlie melted into the couch a little, sliding down. Why didn't he just… Go for it. It was starting to get so frustrating.
As she was rolling her eyes she looked at the radio. It was getting dark, so it meant Phillip's show started. She was truly curious to know if it was as good as Alastor's.
She got up and slowly went to the radio. "Al, can I turn the radio on ?"
"Sure, dear." He replied as he was turning the stove on.
Charlie turned on the radio in Alastor's station and she instantly recognized Phillip's voice.
Alastor stopped what he was doing and looked behind Charlie. She was by the radio just looking at it. He raised his eyebrow. Maybe she did enjoy hanging out with Phillip after all… He felt a string inside his chest again, and the feeling was terrible.
Charlie was paying attention to Phillip's voice.
"On the bright side, tomorrow the weather will be good, the sun will rise and shine just like my hair. Am I right, ladies?" Phillip said and a few female voices sighed.
Charlie raised her eyebrows, that was ridiculous.
Alastor was quietly finishing reheating the food and bringing it to the counter next to the table.
Charlie left the radio on and walked towards Alastor.
"What do you think about Phillip?" Charlie asked as she took her seat.
"Hm, I don't know. Why the sudden question?" Alastor opened the pot to serve her.
"Well, I hung out with him..." Charlie started.
"I'm very aware of that." Alastor said with a neutral tone.
"Yeah, and I was wondering what you think of him?" She raised her head to look at Alastor.
He frowned his brows, what he was supposed to say?
"I believe, the most important thing here is not what I think about him, but what YOU think, since you two might hang out together in the future." Alastor almost made a face as he thought about it. He was feeling disgust thinking of Charlie and Phillip together, why was that? Why was he caring about it?
"I'm not sure about that last part." Charlie leaned, looking up at Alastor. "You look bothered, something happened?" She blinked at him.
"Nothing..." He raised his eyebrows and gave a weak smile.
Charlie kept looking at him, Alastor was mysterious and maybe he wanted to show he was bothered by her. Because his expression was showing it very well there.
"Okay." She smiled as she kept looking at him. Maybe she shouldn't push the subject any further. She waved her hand asking him to stop serving her. There was enough on her plate.
After he served himself he sat quietly in front of her.
The silence filled the room. Phillip's voice was the only thing making noise.
"Did you have fun today?" Alastor said without looking at her.
"I- did." Was he jealous?
"Mhmmp." He nodded and took a bite of his food.
Maybe she should play a little bit? No... What if she made him more jealous and it just ended any possibility between them? But she also didn't explain to him how bad she thought of Phillip.
They kept eating their meals.
"On Saturday, do you want to go out?" She smiled.
"We can." He nodded.
"Explore the city more, maybe?" Her big eyes were pleading for him.
"Of course, dear." He smiled at her and cleaned his lips with the napkin. "I will wake you up at 8 o'clock on Saturday. Sounds good?"
Charlie nodded. "Yes."
They finished their meals, Charlie helped Alastor with cleaning the plates, glasses, forks, etc.
As they were heading to the corridor, Alastor stopped and looked at the canvas. There were only bases of colors so far. Not any specific shape, but he could see the pencil marks slightly under.
"This looks incredible." He approached the canvas ignoring the annoying voice of Phillip in the background.
"Do you think so?" She felt her chest racing. Usually she would expect a 'no, haha what garbage.' Right after the sentence.
"I do, you are very talented in art, Charlie." He turned to look at her with a warm smile.
She blushed, no one besides her parents had said that to her. And coming from Alastor made her heart pound even more.
"Thank you, Al." She placed a hand over her arm, caressing it.
He then looked at the radio again.
"Can I turn it off?" He was already walking towards it. Phillip's voice got even more annoying for him than ever.
"Oh yes, please. I can't even handle that guy." She sighed annoyed, and then she put her hands over her mouth. Did she really say that?
Alastor stopped on the way to the radio and he couldn't hold back a smile. She finds Phillip annoying? Why was he happy about it?
"Is that so?" He started to turn the radio off. He tried to keep his tone neutral, and turned to Charlie. The only problem was that he couldn't hide his smile.
"Well, I didn't mean to say that." She giggled, running her fingers through her hair.
"But you did." Alastor placed his hands behind his back.
Charlie raised her eyebrow as Alastor was smiling and approaching her.
"But I didn't mean it." She looked at Alastor and his triumphant smile.
"Oh you did." He looked at her while they proceeded to walk through the corridor together. His eyes were half opened just to add to his "cocky" look.
Charlie filled her cheeks with air and crossed her arms. Then before she entered her room she stopped and watched Alastor going to his room.
"Why so happy about it? Are you jealous?" If he was teasing her, she could do the same.
Alastor stopped in the corridor and felt his heart stop in his chest. Jealous? Why would he be jealous?
"HA HA HA." His laugh echoed in the corridor as he turned his head to look above his shoulder at the blondie. "I'm not jealous dear. It's just adorable to see how much you didn't want to say anything bad of him."
Charlie placed her hand over her doorknob, looking at Alastor. Now who had a big triumphant smile was Charlie.
"Nah, I think you are jealous." She slowly opened her door.
"I am not." He smiled.
"Oh yes you are!" Charlie was slowly sliding inside the room.
"Well, believe in what you desire dear." He shrugged and chuckled. Walking towards his room.
"It's clear you are jealous. Good night Al." She closed the door behind her, and Alastor turned to point out something but she was already inside her room.
He pursed his lips and went to his own room.
'I'm not jealous. Why would I be jealous?' He thought while unbuttoning his shirt.
'It's just, I thought you had fun with the douchebag and I'm happy you didn't.' He threw his shirt on bed and proceeded to unbutton his pants.
'That... Is it not jealousy, is it?' He was taking off his pants when he stopped.
'I... Have no idea.' He blinked at himself.
Alastor never felt this about someone else, why would he feel it about Charlie?
Beta Reader:
Angel: angie_bun