Cattaleya stretches her arms above her head as she yawns loudly, just waking up from her slumber after a good night's rest. She rubs her eyes as she sits upright. A heavy weight wraps itself around her waist, crawling half onto her lap. With a sleepy fond smile she looks down at the Radio Demon who is effectively holding her to keep her in bed. She chuckles softly as she runs her hand through his hair, making his smile curl up more and snuggle closer. Such a cat. She almost expects him to pur. "Goodmorning, Alastor."
"Goodmorning, my Dove." Cattaleya smiles a bit more at the nickname he has given her. One she absolutely adores hearing. "I have an idea. How about we take this day for ourselves and spend the entire day in bed. Just you and me. I'll bring you all the food you want, we'll listen to music, I'll read you a book-" He sits upright and brushes his nose against hers "-what do you say?" This is definitely not of course a scheme to keep her as far away from Lucifer as possible. Definitely not.
"Tempting, but you know I can only manage a few hours of really lazying around before I get restless."
"I'll gladly keep you busy!" He announces happily as he takes her arm and starts peppering it with kisses.
Cattaleya giggles as he kisses up to her neck, it tickles slightly. "Again, tempting." She cups his cheeks and gives him a deep kiss. "But we promised Charlie to help with preparations and there is still enough work to do." Alastor groans against her lips as he kisses her again and again, trying to convince her without words to yield. Sadly, his dear is stronger than he is and has the work ethic of a horse. "Another time." She mumbles before she swiftly jumps out of bed, just fast enough to be out of reach as he tries to grab her. Which has her laughing as she darts into the bathroom as his shadows try to pull her back.
His teeth grit together as he clenches the sheets in one claw. Apparently there is no way to avoid this. But he'll make it perfectly clear that Cattaleya is going nowhere.
Alastor insisted that Cattaleya wears the red dress he adores on her so much for today, which she doesn't mind as he often chooses for her what to wear. Again, she doesn't mind. She actually thinks it is quite sweet with how invested he is in it. And if she wants to wear something else he doesn't complain either. When they arrive down she sees everyone already up and running, decorating and in high nervous spirits.
Cattaleya glances at the huge banner. Wellcum daddy. That is an unfortunate misspelling.
She walks to Charlie who is doing some form of breathing exercise. "Goodmorning Charlie, did I miss something?"
"Oh didn't Al-" Charlie gulps loudly as said demon looms behind Cattaleya, a huge threatening grin directed towards the Princess. "- fill you in?" She asks with a nervous laugh.
When Cattaleya looks back with the raise of an eyebrow he smiles like an innocent kitten. "No?"
Alastor spreads his arms wide. "Ah of course! The visit of Charlie's very own father. I must have completely forgotten to tell you yesterday as it was such an exhausting long day!" He wraps one arm around Cattaleya.
"Charlie's father? Lucifer?" The fallen angel himself. She has heard about him. Read stories in her previous life. Yes she knew that Lucifer is Charlie's father but she never truly linked the fallen sinner angel to this bright happy go lucky woman.
"The ultimate bad boy." Nifty chimes in with a purr in her voice, followed by a manic giggle. Really, that little one is a psycho.
"Well, it is nice for your father to give a visit." Cattaleya says with a gentle smile.
Charlie wrings her hands together. "Yeah… We don't actually see each other that much and I do have a big favor to ask from him so…" She takes another deep breath. "We need to give a good impression of the Hotel."
Cattaleya nods. Ah, so it is not just a simple visit. "Alright, we will do our best then. Right?" She asks Alastor.
"Certainly." He answers albeit a bit strained.
Charlie grins gratefully before darting away to tidy up the final preparations. "Forgot?"
"Hmm."
"... You don't forget stuff." She eyes him skeptically which he is desperately looking away from, eyes glued in big interest on the balloons they have hung up as his lips are shut tight in a smile. "Spill it." He actually groans in the back of his throat as his ear twitches a bit, a frown forming and his lips tighter. "Alright, then don't." She kisses his cheek though. "Be as kind as you can be today. This obviously means quite much to her."
Alastor sighs a bit. "You request a lot from me."
Knowing this is his way of saying he will she kisses his cheek again, making his smile more genuine. "Thank you."
"Okay everyone, it's showtime!" Charlie announces brightly but still nervously as everyone stands at the ready.
Cattaleya yelps as she is suddenly pulled and dragged to the side, towards the shadows. Out of view from everyone. "Perfect spot for you, my dear! Don't want to steal away all the attention do you with your magnificent appearance." Before she can protest he gives her a silencing kiss and disappears in his shadows. Why is he so jittery about this? Does he think Lucifer is a threat? Fine, for his sake, she'll listen.
The man of the hour bursts in. "Charlie!"
"Hey, da-"
The man hugs his daughter tightly in a bear killing embrace. "Oh, it's so good to see you! Ha ha."
"It's uh good to see you too dad." Charlie says a bit uncomfortably. "Welcome to the Hazbin hotel!"
As Cattaleya watches the man from the shadows he doesn't look that intimidating. First of all, the man is shorter than she is. With a big smile on his face while he coddles and cooes at Keekee and the two flying tiny dragons. He is enthusiastic and loud and there is no way to not see the family resemblance between the two. But looks could be deceiving. This is still the king of Hell. Even if the King acts like a cinnamon roll towards his daughter.
"Oh, what in the unholy hell is this?!" Lucifer motions to the bar in the corner.
That is when Alastor decides to take center stage. "Just some of the renovations we had done. Adds a bit of color, don't you think?"
"And you are?"
"Alastor. Pleasure to be meeting you, sir. Quite a pleasure." Alastor shakes Lucifer's cane and wipes his hand in somewhat hidden disgust on his coat. "It's nice to finally put a face to the name. You are much shorter in real life."
Lucifer looks less than amused. "Who is this now? Are you the bellhop?"
"Aha! No! I am the host of the hotel. You might have heard of me from my radio broadcast."
"Hmm, nope! I guess that's why Charlie called it the Has-been Hotel, ahaha." Oh, that would tick Alastor of. Which is obviously does.
"Ha ha ha. It was actually my idea."
"Ahaha. Well, it's not very clever!"
"Ha ha! Fuck you." Cattaleya wonders if she should jump in as both men look ready to bite each other's throat but luckily Charlie does it for her.
"Okay! Okay, anyway. Dad, look at this lovely parlor where people can get to know each other and share secrets and stories and intimate feelings! Without Alastor, we wouldn't have been able to pretty it up this much."
"Charlie has a very unique vision. I am happy to fulfill her bizarre requests." Alastor places a hand on Charlie's shoulder which has her smiling at him.
"Oh, thank you, Alastor."
"Quite an impressive young lady. We're all very proud of her." He grins smugly at the growing irritation on Lucifer's face.
Lucifer decides he has had enough of this and says. "Ahem, Charlie! Dear, eheh, why don't you introduce me to your OTHER friends?"
Cattaleya observes Alastor closely how he interacts and acts near the fallen angel. He is rigid, aggressive with his ways of irritating the man, knowing exactly how to tick him off. She just doesn't have a clue why he acts this way.
When everyone is introduced Charlie looks around, searching for the final resident to introduce. "And then there is-"
Alastor loudly puts his cane against the floor to get everyone's attention. "How about we show your dad around the Hotel, hmm? I am sure he would love to see all the hard work we have done!"
"Oh sure, but-"
Alastor puts his hands on Charlie's shoulders and actually begins pushing her forward, much to Lucifer's chagrin. "Come come Charlie! There's lots to show and-"
His voice scratches to a stop as in front of the stairs he had been heading to, stands Cattaleya. His lovely Dove's eyes narrowed at him with suspicion and a bit of annoyance but she quickly wipes that away and smiles sweetly. Not at Alastor though. "Sorry for being a bit late." She doesn't give a reason as she walks forward towards Lucifer, whose eyes are wide and his mouth slightly agape. "My name's Cattaleya. Your daughter took me in after I had fallen here. Honor to meet you." She says before she bows out of pure respect. She can almost hear Alastor's teeth grinding together.
"Ahaha, aren't you looking like you are in the wrong place?" Lucifer doesn't even hide his curiosity as he walks around her and leans down to look at her wings more closely, as if seeing something no one else has noticed before. Wisely, he doesn't touch her or else he might have lost a few fingers if the murderous stare Alastor glues on the man is any indication. "I mean… You know what I mean."
"On earth, I was ordered to kill." She turns to face Lucifer again. "Apparently, that is enough to end up here. But that is fine. I am glad to be able to help Charlie in her noble quest."
"Hmm…" Lucifer's mood shifts to something more pensive but then he grins widely. "Well, I am glad such a lovely creature-" Alastor's grin widens angrily. "- is here to help my daughter achieve her dreams." He holds out his hand for her to shake.
Wondering if it is wise, but not wanting to be rude, she smiles a bit more and reaches out her hand. Just as she is about to touch him though, her fingers start feeling hot, tingly, a weird sort of electric static running up her arm. She feels it deep inside her nerves, blood, muscles. It is strange. If Lucifer feels it too, his grin doesn't show. Before she has the chance to challenge this feeling more, Alastor forcefully grabs her hand and pulls her away.
"Ha Ha Ha! She is lovely indeed! Lovely and entirely mine. And I do not like others touching things that are mine." Possessively he wraps his arms around her waist and pulls her back flush against his chest. "So I kindly ask you to refrain from that or else I will not so kindly correct you."
"Of course a demon like you would have your chains on such a being already." Lucifer snarls back but Cattaleya quickly shakes her head.
"No chains. No deal. Willingly. Just us." She corrects immediately, not liking the idea of anyone thinking she is forced into this or that he controls her. Alastor's enraged grin melts only slightly into something more prideful and smug. Still very lethal though.
Lucifer merely narrows his eyes. "Huh, would you look at that."
Something in the condescending way he says it ticks Cattaleya off. As if it is hard to believe that they could actually be a pair. Lucifer or not, that is not an insult that she is going to let slide. "Could you perhaps clarify what that tone indicates?" Not having expected to be actually called out, Lucifer's eyes widen. "Otherwise I'll just be prone to believe that you find the mere idea of me and Alastor together as a willing couple is something you find unbelievable and ludicrous. I surely must be mistaken?"
"Oh no no no. Well, I mean-" Lucifer tries to correct himself as he rubs his neck and laughs a bit nervously. "- you two are a SURPRISING couple! With appearance, you see.-"
"Ah. You mean that someone who looks like a virtue dallies with an incarnation of sin, is that the correct way of putting it in a sentence?" Cattaleya doesn't have to see the look on Alastor's face as she can hear the wicked delight at making Lucifer squirm.
Before anything more can be said Charlie jumps in. "Okay! How about we go give that tour now!"
"Sure thing, Charlie! Lead the way!" Lucifer gladly accepts this escape and lets Charlie and Vaggie lead on.
Alastor doesn't let her go immediately and instead rubs his cheek against hers. "You are a thrill when you use that sharp tongue of yours."
"I will use it against you later. I am very curious about your behavior towards the King of Hell." She feels his arms tense. "No matter the answer, all is fine." She reassures him as she moves her head and kisses his cheek. The tension leaves him. "Go. You have a tour to give." He gently holds her chin and tilts her head so he can kiss her lips before disappearing in the shadows.
The residents and employees of the Hotel waited as patiently as they could, but seeing Charlie storm into the lobby, clearly upset, with Vaggie right on her tail, is not a good sign. They did not even have the time to stop her as she leaves the Hotel, needing space probably. They all share some concerned looks when Alastor manifests from the shadows, a smile as always on his face without a hint of displeasure.
"What happened?" Cattaleya is the first to ask.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, just another father figure disappointing a daughter by not granting her requests. Who would like some tea!" Alastor grins hugely as he spreads his arms wide but his grin twitches as Cattaleya stares him down, not buying it and not budging. "Alright, her father might have declined trying to get Charlie a meeting with Heaven."
"She wants to go to Heaven?"
"To talk to the ones in charge face-to-face, yes. I totally understand Lucifer declining. What good would it do! Tea, Dove?"
"Where is Lucifer now?"
"Oh, probably still sulking on the balcony after being yelled at by Charlie. Something about him not supporting her dreams and not being there for her when she needs him."
Cattaleya grimaces a bit before standing up from her seat. Before she is able to reach the stairs though she is stopped by Alastor's cane. "Where are you going?~" He sings out with a smile, already having an ugly gut feeling though.
"I am going to talk to Lucifer."
"Ha ha! Very pointless! If he is not going to do something for his daughter he won't do it for you!"
"First of all, I am very persuasive. I talked Vox into the Gala. And I talked you out of many temper tantrums. Like you said, I have a sharp tongue." Cattaleya defends with a slight grin on her face but then she turns a bit more serious. "Though I was not going to try and change his mind. I just want to talk to him. He must be feeling bad."
"And that is your concern because?"
"It is none, honestly. But how would you feel if I for a matter of fact said to you that you weren't supporting me or not being there when I needed you? He cares a lot about Charlie, that is easily seen. And sadly, the people you care about the most can hurt you the worst…" She puts her hand on his cheek. "Talking won't harm me."
Alastor grumbles but still he takes her hand and kisses her palm. "Your heart is too kind. Don't take too long."
Cattaleya smiles gratefully and nods before walking off to find the fallen angel. It is not hard to do so as there is only one big open balcony that is not attached to any room. His figure is hunched over, leaning on the railing, not noticing her arrival. Softly she clears her throat and he shoots upright. "Oh! Hey, Catty-" Ah, same habit as his daughter. "- didn't see you there! Or hear you. You have quiet feet. Is there something I can do for you or should I leave? Do you want the balcony" His smile is big and forced as he tries to play cool.
Cattaleya simply shoots him a soft smile. "There is no need to put up a facade. I heard in big lines what Charlie said." She says as she walks closer and stands next to him, looking at the city. "I came to check on you."
"Check on me? Pff! No need! I am fine. I mean, my daughter just outright yelled at me about me being a horrible father and crushing her dreams but hey, worse things can happen right ahaha…." He forces out but then his smile wobbles, seeing her not buying it, and he deflates with a sigh. "She doesn't understand…"
"Probably. Her mind and rational thinking is clouded by her dreams. Her passion. It graces her but it makes it hard to see reason and not react out of passion. Heat of the moment." She lifts herself up on the railing and takes a seat, feet dangling towards the ground. "So try me. What is the reason why you declined her request?"
"She wants to go up and talk to Heaven." Lucifer puts his hand up. "Speak to them as if she can change their mind. She can't. They won't listen. I've tried it all before. Everything. Having had the same dream she does but it can't be done. Their ways can't be changed. I… Don't want her to be crushed like I was… And she will be. I only care about protecting her. She shouldn't put her heart on the line for these sinners. Granted free will and look what they've done with it." His expression turns a bit to anger as he looks at the City as well. A city that in his opinion can't be redeemed.
"You act out of love." He grimaces, behind it years of pain and longing perhaps. "That is admirable, and sad that she can't see that… You probably are right that Heaven won't listen. I support her and help her even though I don't believe in it. Because in the end, if I stand by her side, she will see my support. If I stand against her, she will resent me. Yes, she might fail. She might get hurt. Crushed. But she will resent Heaven instead of you if you help her get to where she wants. When she gets hurt, which she will, she will go to the people who have been by her side. Do you want to belong to that list? Or to the list that she resents?"
Lucifer leans with his arms back on the railing. "You might be right…" They share a smile. "Why are you here?"
"Well, I thought you could use-"
"No, I mean, why are you here?" He nods towards the city.
Cattaleya smiles a bit ruefully, that same question that comes and goes. "You were an angel once, you tell me. I wouldn't know the rules as properly as you do. I have done evil. I have sinned. I have blood on my hands. Coated in it." She looks at her own claw, as if seeing it still. "But never once I killed out of free will. Never did I want to. Took no pleasure in it. I only took lives as that was what I was ordered to do. I was obedient. Wired that way. Nothing more. I didn't mourn the souls I killed either. I felt completely nothing in my lifetime on earth. So if Heaven only judges by actions, then yes, I truly belong here. Yet again, if that is so… There must be a lot of souls here who should have deserved better. Actions are just actions, black and white, right and wrong, if you do not look at the reasons behind it." Cattaleya blinks twice and her cheeks color a bit in embarrassment at her rambling.
But Lucifer only looks at her with a kind smile and gentle eyes, truly listening. "My daughter is lucky to have your assistance. Your point of view."
"I don't think my point of view will do a lot. If you truly say that Heaven won't listen, then my words and who I am doesn't matter. Redemption a far fetched dream."
"They have not spoken to anyone like you. I spoke out of ideals. Charlie speaks out of dreams. But you-" He straightens up. "You speak out of life. Out of experience. You are the enigma they can't ignore if you stand right in front of them. You can show them the reasons and make them question how a soul is judged."
"You want me to talk to Heaven?" Cattaleya asks a bit in disbelief as she shakes her head. "If you, Lucifer, can't do it, and Charlie, the Princess of Hell, can't, then why would I be the one who can?"
Lucifer shrugs. "I don't know why. But you made me see that you can change things dangerously easy. You are a…" He searches for a word. "Clarity."
"You really are putting high expectations on me. Ones I don't know if I can live up to."
"Would you be willing to try? I would feel a lot better letting Charlie go if you could support her there. I think you can have a strong voice…"
Cattaleya frowns as she looks at the city. Wondering how many like her are out there. How many women who had defended themselves with a knife. How many men who drank themselves to death out of misery. How many teenagers who made poor life decisions and got to stealing and drugging…
The answer is fairly easy after that.
"- and not only can it flip but it can spew fire as well! It is the ultimate rubber duckie! Best one I have invented so far but I still have some blueprints laying around for better designs-"
Cattaleya can't help but giggle thanks to his pure enthusiastic tale about… Rubber duckies. Lucifer Morningstar, having a passion for duckies. The man is a softy. It does raise some eyebrows as they walk down the stairs, Lucifer happily chatting away.
"Hello Dove!" Alastor suddenly appears behind them, scaring the shit out of Lucifer but Cattaleya simply smiles, used to his antics. Not so subtle he wraps an arm around her and pulls her away. "I prepared your favorite tea. We could enjoy it in the fine seclusion of our room if you wish."
Really not subtle. She rolls her eyes playfully but then the doors open. Charlie and Vaggie walk back in. When Charlie sees her father still there she takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders, marching forward. "Dad, if you are not going to help me then I want you to le-"
"I'll get you the meeting."
"What?"
"What?"
Charlie's flabbergasted gasp is mixed with Alastor's snap. "I am getting you the meeting with Heaven." Lucifer says as he walks forward and bravely, albeit a bit hesitant, takes his daughter's hands. "I didn't want you to go because I am so afraid you might get hurt. Like I was. But I want to be there for you, support you, in your dreams and in your life. No matter what happens. Nomatter what lies in store. I'll be here for you. And I'll do anything to love and cherish and protect you." His eyes fill with tears, and so does Charlie's, before they embrace each other.
"Thank you dad. Thank you."
Lucifer pulls away to look into her face a bit more seriously. He needs her to understand. "I can get you the meeting. But from then, you are on your own. I can't help you up there." Then he smiles and looks at Cattaleya. "But she can."
Bile rises in Alastor's throat. "Cattaleya?" Charlie asks.
"Yes. I think she is exactly what you need to make Heaven see a different point of view. I can't promise you that they will immediately change their ways but she will surely get them talking. She has quite the way with words and an excellent opinion. She is the life on earth that Heaven does not see."
"You are exaggerating." Cattaleya says as she steps forward, missing the way Alastor's claws clench as she steps out of his arm, drawing blood. "But I will help. I will come with you to the meeting."
"A-Are you sure Catty? I mean-" A quick glance to Alastor who is visibly trying not to explode. "- you don't have to. We wouldn't want to force you or ask such a big thing from you."
"I want to. I want to help. I have been forced to kill against my will all my life. Let me choose to save in this one. If I can help Heaven change a bit of their view, make them look harder at souls that pass through, if I can get a single soul like mine up in Heaven, then it is all worth it."
Never had he felt this much fury. Such a need to rampage and tear and shred. All to ease his own agony. This anguish. This terror. He feels the need to pull Lucifer apart. Smear the walls with blood. All to protect her. All to keep her here. To eliminate the being that would permit her to enter Heaven.
Alastor has to go. He has to go now. Or else… Or else he might hurt her to a point of no return. So that is what he does. His shadows wrap around him, and he can only see a glimpse of her face that pulls into concern as he vanishes.
The melancholic tunes of the piano fill the ballroom as his fingers flit over the keys. His eyes are closed as he lets the flow of the music guide him. A play never written out before. One he just feels. How long has it been since he has created music? Long. Very long ago. Still, it comes as if it had been mere hours ago. It calms him. Enough to forget… Everything for a stolen moment.
He had destroyed the inside of his previous radio tower. After that he went past the outskirts of town, nowhere land, and killed every wayward lost being and soul he could find. Nothing calmed him. Nothing eased what he felt. It only made him feel worse. Want to return to her more. But he didn't. He didn't want that conversation. Knowing there was nothing he could do but yield to her words. To her wants. To her desires. Pleading her to not go would not help. Do nothing. He is so… Powerless to her. Holds no strings. While she holds all of his.
That is why Alastor found himself in the ballroom, at the piano, way past midnight, to distract himself. To whatever end it might help for a short period of time. Tomorrow he will have to face it nonetheless.
He is so engrossed in his own serenade of anguish he lets the piano sing that he does not hear her enter. Not hear her when he stands behind him and listens. Listens to his unspoken words. When he ends the song, is when she speaks. "That was beautiful." His hands slowly rest on the keys but he doesn't look back at her. "I am very proud of you… That you didn't… "
He is quiet for a while before he says. "Do you have a hidden sickening urge to torment me in the way you do? To… test me and see how far you can push me. I am telling you, I am this close to being done."
"That was never my intention."
His hand slams on the key before he jumps up, eyes blazing and a snarl in his grin. "Then what is! What is it you want! Do you want to be independent! To prove yourself you are good! Do you want to go to Heaven?! Fine! But do that without doing this to me! Don't keep putting yourself in harm's way and excusing yourself with the words of wanting to help everyone else except for me! Help me feel safe! Help me stop feeling as if I could lose you every single day! Taken away just like that!" He snaps his fingers.
Unblinking, she softly replies. "... Okay."
Alastor's eyes widen as Cattaleya caves. Not a single word to defend herself or justify her actions. "What?"
"Okay." Cattaleya swallows the lump in her throat as she takes a few steps closer to him. "I won't go. If you are truly this pained about it I won't go to the meeting. Helping others is never more important than you… The people you care about can hurt you the worst, r-right? And I am so sorry that I did… It's just that I never had the chance to make my own choices, have my own goals and it makes me… Rush in without thinking about what you might feel. Thinking about it afterwards… " Tears begin to shimmer in her eyes. "And that is not right. You have given me so much. Care so good for me and I do this to someone I-" She swallows hard again as she gives him a wobbly smile. "Someone I love." She lets out a laugh as if saying it is as shocking to her as to him. "I love you, Alastor. Crazy as it is. I do. And I am not going to do anything again to risk losing that. Losing you."
For a moment, her heart drops as he does not move. Does not twitch. Doesn't show what her confession does to him. But when he speaks, it is raw and unfiltered. "Say it again."
"Alastor, I lov-" He doesn't let her finish as he smothers her lips with his in pure ecstasy and joy. Not holding back a single drop of what he feels, holding her face in his hands as he roughly kisses her. Full of passion. Hungrily. Over and over again as he revels in the taste of her. The sounds she makes. The eagerness in which she returns his fever. Their arms wrap around each other, feel each other before he suddenly lifts her up and sits down on the bench with her straddling him. The same heat he had been overwhelmed before in the kitchen returns. He kisses down to her neck, sucking and licking to hear her mewl. Feel her shiver. A shiver runs down his own spine and his arms clench in the back of her dress as she moves against him.
Desire. Filthy sinful lust. Is this what that feels like? Like your blood is scorching and all you can do is burn and yearn with the need to feel more?
She fumbles with the front of his coat while he is less careful, using his claws to rip the back of her dress open which has her gasp in surprise. Using this to his advantage, he kisses her with his tongue, tasting her. It has him moan out a deep rumble of his own. She tastes good. Maddening good. Delicious.
He lifts her up again and then drops forward down to the ground. Cattaleya yelps loudly, shutting her eyes and bracing herself for the impact of the ground but her back lands on a mattress, which has her blinking and then laughing in the realization that Alastor had magically willed it into the room. Evil playfull bastard. He joins her heartfelt laughter as he looks down at her, his hands holding him up to look at her bashful glowing face. Hair spread around her like a holy halo. Those big bright eyes staring at him.
His whole body freezes. His smile turns taunt as nerves suddenly rattle his entire being. He wants to do this right. But he also wants it to feel right. He wants her to enjoy… it. But he doesn't know if he can actually…
"Darin?" She asks sweetly as she looks up at him with a gentle warm expression. "Are you anxious?" Hells, she reads him so well.
As denying it would be seen through as glass he honestly says. "I have only done this a few times when I was still alive. I never-" His nose scrunches up. "-liked it. Didn't like the feel or the touches. Anything. It never felt right. I have never done this with someone I…" He breathes out through his nose. "And I want you to feel good. To enjoy this."
"I have never done this with someone I loved either. Never enjoyed it either." She reaches up and caresses his cheek with her fingers. "How about we promise each other to quit when it stops feeling right? No Matter when."
This woman
He kisses her hard to show his gratitude, to thank her. For not putting daggers in his heart every time he reveals it. "I love you too, Cattaleya." The biggest of grins break on both of their faces. Needless to say, neither asked the other to stop.
His nails slowly run up and down the bare skin of her back, giving her slight shivers. Soft sighs against his chest as she lays naked in his arms. Covered by the blanket he had afterwards made appear. Alastor has never felt this… Satisfied before. This fulfilled. Not after a great hunt. Not after the taste of the sweetest kill. Not with his favorite music and a rich glass of whisky. No. This is what people talked about. Got addicted to. Went madly insane over. Hells, he can't wait to explore even more of what he can make them experience. Make her feel. Make her cry out in pure bliss in her greatest high.
"Are we going to tell Charlie we made the ballroom a rather unholy place?"
"Definitely!"
Cattaleya giggles before pushing herself upright, leaning on her forearms, to look down at him, the look of pure love and adoration he gives her has her heart pounding as rapidly as before. "What are these?" She asks softly as she runs a finger over the scars on his chest. He is littered with them. Chest. Arms. Back. Scars in various sizes and shapes all over his body.
"Reminders of all the places I cut and stabbed my victims." She runs her fingers over the one on his heart. That scar is thicker than most as if multiple scars had stacked up. "Are you disgusted by the look of it?" He asks with a bit of a grimace, understanding it if she said yes. It is quite a confrontation to look at and know what they are. What they represent.
"Not at all. I was merely curious. I am very-" She leans down and kisses some of his scars. "-much not disgusted by your body. Quite the opposite."
Alastor chuckles albeit a bit shy at the compliment before his eyes catch the five scratches of his nails he had left on her body. On her shoulder. A thin layer of blood already dried. Really it is barely a wound. Just deep enough to bleed a few drops. Dealt in the middle of their pleasurable antics and she had reassured him that it was nothing before quickly distracting him again with her hips but… "I didn't mean to." He says softly as he runs the tips of his fingers over the wounds.
"I know, love. These are wounds I proudly wear." She says lovingly before grinning in a mischievous way. "You have just dealt your first sex wounds." Alastor's eyes widen before grinning sheepishly and looking to the side. Sadly for him, she does know a little bit about his prudishness about vulgar stuff, which she is going to exploit. "How does that feel? That in the midst of all that lusty mind fogging hotness the great Radio Demon lost his cool so much that he actually unintentionally dealt sex wounds." He covers his eyes with his hand as his face flusters red, his body shaking with nervous chuckling he tries to keep in. "What has the big bad Alastor got to say to-"
She yelps loudly as he flips her onto her back and starts attacking her, with tickles to her side. "Silence you evil torment of a woman."
"I yield I yield!' She begs between her laughter as she kicks and struggles. Luckily he obeys and he waits for her to catch her breath before kissing the tip of her nose. "Hey Alastor." He tilts his head to the side. "I love you."
"And I love you, darling Dove."