T/W cannibalism, sexual references, alcoholism
The shudder of the hotel caused you to bolt up in bed. Would you ever get used to these violent awakenings? It didn't help that you still felt groggy. Unlike previous nights, you had tossed and turned, trying to drift off. Everyone's worries were weighing down on you.
However, breaking your bleak mood. You notice another box has been placed on your drawers. Your dress again, maybe? You get out of bed and saunter over, opening the box, a red and black Edwardian-style walking dress with a matching jacket. You remembered you're mother had owned one, she continued to wear them even after they had gone out of style. You slipped on the high-waisted skirt and top that had all the boning and lacing. The lacing of which you struggled to do up by yourself but just about managed to make it look good. You looked at yourself in the mirror, you could not help but notice how much it resembled Alastor's ensemble. He certainly had a defined sense of style and whilst you were thankful for the gift, you wouldn't have minded having something that suited your own tastes. Nonetheless, it had still been a thoughtful gesture.
You headed to the kitchen, now knowing which floorboard creaked and how to avoid them in your attempts to not wake anyone. Although you had retired to your room early that night. Being unable to settle, you'd heard Husk and Angel drinking into the early hours of the morning and figured they would have not long settled in for the night, well morning, themselves. However, perhaps hearing them last night is what aided in being unable to sleep.
Your first coffee of the morning was pure bliss. You had now adapted to Alastor's method of not fully boiling the kettle but this morning, you'd been able to add milk and sugar to your coffee. Yesterday, although you had the milk and sugar you'd bought on your expedition out. You hadn't had the chance to make coffee with all the commotion but now, you relaxed on the lobby sofa, slowly sipping the sweet and creamy beverage.
You had become quite excited about your venture out of the hotel. Although it had filled you with dread before, you had warmed up to the idea. Knowing you were going to be with Alastor, you trusted him enough to keep you safe from any harm. Charlie and Vaggie were the only ones in the hotel who had tried to challenge him. Yes, Angel and Husk had shown their contempt for him, and whilst they both seemed more than capable of fighting, especially when Husk's claws came to mind. Even still they never outright challenged him. Charlie, as you only recently learned to be Lucifer's daughter. You understood why she was comfortable challenging him and Vaggie being her partner, you doubted Alastor would want to upset Charlie by hurting Vaggie.
You debated if you should bring a coffee to Alastor's room. It was still early and although he seemed to be up at all hours, he had said last night that he had some things to take care of. Then again you questioned if he ever slept. The image of Alastor sleeping with his grin spread across his face even in his sleep, came to mind. It caused you to chuckle to yourself. "What's got you giggling Petite chose." You hear the staticky voice from behind you.
However, you felt somewhat dishearted, no mon chéri, dear or darling. Just, 'you little thing'.You stand up and turn around to face him. You could say he looked happy but with Alastor, other than the occasional falter in his expression, he always looked happy, albeit simultaneously mildly creepy. "Oh nothing important," You shrug off. He simply offers a "hmm" and nothing more. He seemed less chatty than normal, you'd grown to assume he just enjoyed hearing the sound of his own voice but you couldn't blame him for that. You probably would to if you spoke like him.
You force a smile to your face despite the almost standoffish atmosphere. "I wanted to thank you for the walking dress" You offer. Thinking back to when you hadn't thanked him before, how the static filled the air, and without him saying anything you could sense his annoyance. This was partly why you'd had been confused at the other's opinion of him. He had seemed to be insistent on manners. "You're most welcome".
"I feel like I could be your doppelganger, dressed like this." You offer lightheartedly. "Hmm, no. You simply lack the showmanship and finesse that I offer. I don't think anyone would ever mistake you for me." He almost sounded like he was reprimanding you for your joke. "I didn't mean any offense, I..." You take a moment to comprise your words and gather your thoughts, now feeling like a schoolchild being chastised. "You just don't seem yourself this morning. I was trying to..." You trail off again, feeling as though anything you said would be brought to fault. "If you're not going to speak clearly, then I think it is best you don't speak at all." Saying this, he pulls his arm out to his side for you to link with yours. You look down to the floor and walk over to him, obediently linking your arm around his.
As you step out of the hotel you can't help but try and wonder what you had done to cause him to turn so cold towards you. You knew he didn't care for dinner last night but this was such an extreme reaction. Was it because you had thrown some playful sass at him? Was it because you'd fallen on him in your drunken stupor? Even now, as you walked together, the pace at which he walked made it difficult to keep up with him. Admittedly he was tall and his stride was longer than yours and he did always move with intent, always so animated in everything he did. But this somehow felt forced, you felt as if you were being punished. For what though, you were unsure of.
Coming out of your thoughts, you notice the landscape around you is not what you had become used to. The scarlet sky did confirm you were still in hell but the buildings weren't half destroyed. People weren't trying to kill one another on the street. You weren't sure of how far you'd walked but you did know your feet had become sore from trying to keep up pace with Alastor.
Whilst on the main street, the demons that were there came in all shapes and sizes, some bearing animalistic features. The residents here all seemed to be humanoid. They also seemed to bear the same black, soulless eyes. Some of which watched you as you walked past them. Alastor nodded at several of them as he walked by. He was often greeted with "Good morning Alastor!" by the ladies. It almost seemed as though he was on good terms with all the women here. A stark difference from the hotel.
Turning a corner several demons were hunched over something on the floor but as Alastor walked past, they turned to flash a smile. Their teeth were razor sharp, a black, viscous liquid dripping from their lips. "Good morning ladies" Alastor chimes out, now sounding like his usual self. He lets go of your arm and walks towards them, pulling a napkin from his pocket. He offers it to one of the ladies before dipping into a bow. As he walks back to you, you see what they had been hunched over.
There on the floor was another demon, ripped open, guts spread on the ground by them. You feel your jaw drop as you let out an audible gasp. Alastor looks down at you. "Now, now. It's rude to stare deary." You were too preoccupied with the sight before you even noticed him calling you deary as you linked arms once again. "Don't worry, they're harmless. Rosie runs a tight ship. Their husbands are pretty armless too" He laughs alongside the radio audience.
You arrive outside what appears to be a cafe, a few sets of tables and chairs are placed outside as a group of ladies are sitting enjoying cups of tea. Alastor approaches one lady in particular. A beautiful slender woman, dressed in Victorian clothes. Large feathered hat included. Just like everyone else you'd seen, she shares the same dark and empty sockets and seems to have a perpetual smile like Alastor. As she spots Alastor, she takes to her feet and you now see that they are both around the same height.
"Alastor! Darling" She calls out and gestures for the ladies around her to shoo, to which they scarper. "It's been too long, I've missed our weekly chats." Enthused the woman. "Simply been busy, But how I have missed your company too" Alastor was back with the flattery you thought. Maybe the fresh air had perked him up or maybe he was being nice because he wasn't talking to you. "And who's this delightful little one you've brought with you? You've done well for yourself, you little fox." she teases. " Alastor introduces you both and you curtsey to Rosie. "Oh, and she's so well-mannered. I hope she lasts longer than the others." Rosie and Alastor laugh at her comment, but you, it fills with dread.
You remain quiet for most of the conversation as Alastor and Rosie chatter to one another. It brings you to another memory. That of your grandfather and something he always said to you. "Children should be seen and not heard." A phase he'd repeated to you many times throughout your childhood. You couldn't help but feel it now. Alastor had scolded you this morning as though you were a child and had silenced you for the day. You would speak occasionally if a question was aimed towards you but for the most part you remained in silence and simply smiled, letting the two of them catch up.
It felt like hours had passed by the time Alastor decided it was time to call it, and return to the hotel. You headed to the butchers and whilst there was a large quantity of demon flesh for sale. From fingers to whole legs and every selection of organs you could imagine. You were relieved when you saw some chicken breasts, venison, and beef be handed over the counter to Alastor. You weren't too sure about the chicken actually being chicken but at least beef and venison were red meats and from what you had seen of the demon that was being devoured before. Demons were white meat.
You both walked home in silence once again, still arm in arm. This time more observant of the surroundings. Leaving cannibal town and once returning to the chaos that enveloped the rest of hell. One thing that became clear. Unlike Cannibal town you saw how demons fled at just the sight of Alastor, leaping out of his path and skulking down into the shadows of alleys. This man demanded respect with just his mere presence.
You reach the hotel, not a moment too soon. Even though you felt Alastor had slowed his walking speed slightly on the way back, you were still having to almost jog next to him. Your feet ached and burned. "Well now you have some real ingredients, I'm certain the meal you make tonight will be more enjoyable than last, mon chéri. This didn't sound like a compliment, not even a backhanded compliment. More like a challenge to you. A challenge you fully intend on rising to.
Alastor had left you in the lobby to which you finally were able to take off your boots and flop onto the sofa. You close your eyes, letting out a groan. Fuck, you thought. You could barely stand, let alone slog it out in the kitchen. Something that would normally fill you with joy, felt like the biggest stress of the day now.
You don't even notice Husk coming to the bar until he wakes you from your slumber. "Tough morning or bad night?" He asks. You hadn't even realized you'd fallen asleep. You rub your eyes and twist, your lower back popping. "Both" You replied. "Come grab a drink with me kiddo, I've got an open ear." He offers you, to which you take him up on, sliding onto a barstool. He had already poured you a glass before you reached the bar. You chug it back.
"Another, please" you wince at him, holding up the glass. He puts the bottle down on the bar in front of you. "That bad, huh?" You nod, pouring yourself another glass. proceeding to down that one too before folding your arms on the bar and dropping your head onto them. "I think I did something to piss him off, Husk." You wine. "I don't know what, maybe I said something, maybe did something wrong but he just seems so pissed off with me right now. "Heh," The sound Husk makes as he contains a laugh, not a genuine hearty chuckle but almost in mockery. "Trust me, Kid, if you'd really pissed him off, you would know." You hear the sound of Husk pouring you another glass. As you go to reach it, ready to gulp it down, husk places one claw on the rim as you lift it up. "Don't keep downing them, I promise you it's not gonna make you feel better in the long run." You return the "Heh" he had given you just moments ago. "Rich coming from you"
Husk seems to take no offense to this and lifts his claw, allowing you to chug it back. "Why do you even care so much what he thinks of you?" Husk asks. You ponder on the question, not too sure yourself. "I don't know" you grumble out. "When he's nice to me, it makes this whole predicament feel bearable. I'm human, I want to feel loved and when he holds me that's how I feel." Husk scoffs at your response. "That man doesn't know how to love, whatever you're getting from him. It ain't that." As he continues he pours you another glass, apparently going back on his earlier comment. "If you wanna feel love, look around you. You've only been here a couple of days but we've all grown pretty fond of you."
You grumble and mumble before letting out a sigh. "I don't know what you want from me Husk, you asked why it mattered and I don't know what to tell ya." You say, vexed by your own lack of understanding. "I don't want anything from you, just here to listen and offer you some words of advice from a guy who knows first hand". His words did soothe you or so you thought but maybe it was the alcohol hitting. You knew you should get on with dinner but you still hadn't decided what you were making yet.
"You really wanna help me, Husk, you could tell me what Alastor likes to eat." You knew you sounded pathetic but it wasn't just about pleasing Alastor, you wanted to step up to his challenge. Husk shook his head. "You're helpless kid." You could hear the disappointment in his voice but he then offered you one word. "Jambalaya". That was enough for you. Looking at the clock you maybe had enough to make some. "Thanks, Husk!" you chime out, now filled with a new motivation. "Mind if I take this?" You ask, gesturing to the bottle. "Don't remember needing that for Jambalaya" he quipped. You grab the bottle and roll your eyes at him, offering him a smile as though to say you weren't being serious.
You danced around the kitchen, now feeling revitalized. By the time you had finished cooking, the bottle was empty. But even you had to admit you'd outdone yourself with this one. Angel appeared in the doorway, ready to help you with the plates. You handed him three of them, leaving two of them on the counter. Angel pointed at the plates you had left "I got more hands you know" He teased. "No need, I'll take these," You said. But Angel just rested his spare hand on his hips. "Going to wine and dine with ol'smiley tonight ?" You could hear the condescension in his question. "Don't wait up for me" You jest back feeling giddy as you were now quite drunk. "Oh toots, I don't think that man even knows how to have that kinda fun. I suggested he make room 669 his room and he just said." Angel now puts on his best impression of Alastor "What a lovely number, my emfeminate fellow." He stopped for a moment and thought about what he had said. "Well, maybe he does know. Either way, have fun and be safe, sugar tits"
God how you wished there was an elevator here. Once again Alastor's door was open. That asshole you thought. You had said you weren't doing any more room service and yet he still expected you to bring him his food. It did however mean you didn't have to fight to knock or try open it. For which you were quite pleased. "Ding ding! Room service!" you chime out. You walk into Alastor's room, place both plates on the desk, and look around expecting him to provide you with a chair as usual, to which he does. The room was only lit by the crackling fireplace, casting long shadows across the room. "So you've decided you're joining me tonight I see." He says, his voice so inviting. The coldness of which you had experienced throughout the morning, now melted away.
"I've got something really good for you to eat tonight" You slur out. The blood rushing from walking up those stairs must have exacerbated the effects of the alcohol. Alastor raises a brow to you before standing up to loom over you once again. Taking your chin between his thumb and index finger, the claws of his gloves pressing against your skin. It was hard to tell how much pressure he was using because the afternoon of drinking had dulled your senses but it felt like a firm grip.
"I'm quite sure you have, mon chéri" The way in which he spoke at that moment, sounded almost salacious. To make the situation worse, you heard the door close behind you. The light from the hallway that had once softened the edges of the shadows, was now gone. In the low glow, the harsh, angular features of Alastor were made more apparent. The flickering of the flames caused the shadows to dance across the room. His grin was somehow more devilish, his teeth appeared to gleam and at that moment. You couldn't help but feel he could eat you alive. Words had escaped you in that moment. A gasp however brushed past your lip. You felt the blood rush to your face as you felt completely immobilized.
Seeming pleased with the reaction you had given him, he releases your face and you feel your whole body, that you didn't realize you had tensed, relax. Your heart was beating out of your chest, your breath felt heavy. "I'm not going to lie, you were looking at me like you were gonna devour me just then." You finally manage to choke out. Alastor leans his face into your ear, now speaking in a hushed whisper as his warm breath washes over your neck. "Would you like me to?" He purrs out.
You step back, your whole body now feeling on fire. You weren't certain how he meant that but you flash back to last night and how he had almost glossed over whilst speaking about eating flesh. Yet somehow his tone of voice was so provocative and enticing. "But if you ate me, you wouldn't have time to try my cooking" You jest.
Alastor steps back, and the tension in the room dropped. What the hell? Where the fuck did that come from you think. Alastor gestures to the chair "Sit mon chéri" He offers, now returning to his seat. You don't think, you can only blindly follow his instructions. He takes the Jambalaya and tries a forkful. He breathes out a sigh and for a moment you feel your heart sink. "Do you not like it?" Your voice wavering as you speak. "Quite the contrary my dear. It's maybe the second best I've ever had."
You snap out of your trance-like state, almost feeling sober for a moment. "What do you mean second best?" You snap at him. He does not answer you to begin with and instead takes a second forkful. "Second best, only to my own." He sounded like his normal self once again. Not the cold and harsh Alastor but also not the alluring and suggestive Alastor. This man was going to give you emotional whiplash.
You both finished your plates, conversing pleasantly throughout and even continuing for a while after. You had lost track of time and not wanting to leave his company now he seemed back to his regular self. Not that you were all too sure of what his regular self consisted of, but he was back to what you considered to be normal for him. You found yourself drifting off in the chair, starting to lose track of the conversation.
You must have drifted off for a moment but were awakened by Alastor softly placing his hand on yours. "I believe it is time for you to retire to your room for the night." Although his touch had awakened you briefly, his touch had been so tender, his voice so gentle and hushed that you had only been brought back to consciousness for a moment before shifting your position and drifting back to sleep. The poor night's sleep and alcohol could be to blame for that, however.