Angel Dust dissolved into a fit of laughter and soon Millie was joining him.
They both failed to see the red eyes gleaming in the shadows...
Unbeknownst to them, Alastor stood nearby, observing from a few feet away, his gaze fixated on the pair, his expression inscrutable.
He silently approached the pair.
He grabbed onto Angel's shoulder and pulled him back, his gaze filled with annoyance, "What did you think you were doing, Angel?"
Angel and Millie both let out startled screams.
" What the fuck, Alastor?! You can't go sneakin' up on people like that! Dammit, you scared the shit outta me!"
" I hope I'm not intruding on anything too intimate," his eyes gleamed mischievously as he looked between the two. "It seems like you two are having quite the delightful interaction."
Millie covered her face with both of her hands. She was sooo embarrassed that Alastor saw Angel Dust kiss her. She didn't dare lift her head to answer Alastor, but Angel didn't seem to have a problem with it.
As Alastor playfully addressed both of them, Angel Dust grinned slyly and shot back a sassy remark. "Oh, Alastor, ya weren't intrudin'. Just couldn't resist watchin' me work my charms on this lovely little mouse, could ya?" His tone held a hint of teasing amusement as he held said little mouse tightly against him.
Alastor's eyes darkened slightly, a hint of irritation simmered beneath his composed exterior. However, he maintained his ever present smile and responded with a chuckle, feigning nonchalance.
"Haha, Angel Dust, that would be entirely ungentlemanly of me."
He walked closer to the duo and bent torso in a way that kept his back and legs perfectly straight, but still able to lean close to Angel's face.
"While I appreciate your efforts to entertain our small friend here, do remember that a true gentleman always respects the boundaries of others."
"Hey, Alastor, don't knock it till you try it. A little smooch between friends never hurt anybody!" Angel shrugged one set of arms while the other set kept a hold of Millie.
Alastor let out a forced chuckle, his eyes narrowing slightly at Angel Dust's comment. He then turned to Millie, feigning a smile as he reminded her of their prior plans.
"Ah, Millie, my dear, it seems our time of departure has come. Shall we be on our way? The evening is waning, and I wouldn't wish to keep you out any later than necessary." His tone held a subtle sharpness, hinting at his displeasure beneath the false cheer.
Millie opened her mouth to protest again that he didn't need to walk her home, but thought better of it.
' There's no point in me trying to argue. This is the Radio Demon for crying out loud!' Millie thought.
" R-right, um I'll see you later Angel. And I hope you enjoy the magazine!" Giving the spider a shy wave, Millie turned to Alastor. He held out his arm for her to take and they made their way out of the hotel.
As they walked, arms linked, Millie glanced up at Alastor as he hummed a jazzy tune.
'And hey, maybe this won't be sooo bad. This could be my chance to ask him about his radio broadcast! Um, the music parts...not the screamy ones.'
While Millie was lost in thought, Alastor also allowed his mind to wander. It wandered more specifically to the so-called " friendly kiss" he had witnessed between Angel Dust and Millie.
Watching the kiss, Alastor's eyes widened as he struggled to pin down the emotions swirling within him. Alastor didn't harbor romantic feelings for Millie, but the sight of Angel Dust planting a kiss on her lips stirred a sense of perplexity within him.
He couldn't quite put a finger on the emotions that gripped him in that instant, but one thing was certain - the unexpected display had triggered a curious reaction. As they continued to walk, Alastor glanced down at the little demon that's been the source of these odd thoughts.
Just as he glanced at her, she glanced up at him, their eyes meeting briefly. Millie blushed and swiftly turned away. Alastor chuckled. This was it.
He didn't want anyone or anything to jeopardize the newfound source of amusement she represented to him. That's all it was. He was satisfied that he finally put those emotions to rest.
Alastor and Millie continued on their way. Millie would give directions when needed. Alastor, feeling a slight stirring of boredom, decided to initiate a conversation. He glanced at Millie, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he said, "You know, my dear, we've been quiet for too long. Allow me to entertain us both."
With a sly smile, Alastor unleashed a barrage of old puns.
"Why did the scarecrow win an award?"
" U-um, I don't know. Why?"
"Because he was outstanding in his field." the sound of canned laughter erupted from his microphone. Millie giggled right along with it.
"Why couldn't the bicycle stand up on its own? Because it was two-tired."
Millie's giggles grew louder, her mood visibly brightening with each joke.
Alastor continued with his relentless pun campaign, his voice infused with amusement as he rattled off several more jokes, each one accompanied by a chuckle.
"Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything!"
" Hahaha, stop those are awful!" Millie laughed.
As Millie's laughter echoed through the night air, a subtle smile played on Alastor's lips. He relished the sound of her merriment, knowing it would only serve to strengthen the connection he was building with her.
When Charlie announced that she would be finding someone to restock the hotel's library, he wasn't interested in the princess's prattling. Hell wasn't renowned for its plethora of reading material, and with most literature being of the more explicit variety, it seemed like a futile endeavor.
But when he saw the little demon Charlie had hired to do the job, he was a little intrigued. Things had been quite dull as of late and she looked like she'd be good for some passing entertainment.
He'd be lying if he said he wasn't somewhat curious about how this little slip of thing could get her hands on enough books to fill the library. It was part of the reason he insisted on walking her home.
The duo finally arrived at Millie's shop/home. Alastor was surprised to see that they had stopped in front of what seemed to be a small shop.
" My dear, I thought I was walking home," Alastor raised an eyebrow.
Millie pulled her keys out of her bag and hesitated for a moment, her eyes fixed nervously on Alastor. She didn't understand why she felt so nervous to tell Alastor that this was her shop and home.
" O-oh, this is my home. I-I own t-this bookshop and live above it." Millie unlocked the door and turned to thank Alastor and bid him goodnight. She was met with his face very close to hers. Millie let out a startled squeak and pressed herself against the door.
Alastor's smile widened, his expression turning slightly devious. " Oh! You own this quaint little establishment. How very interesting. Very interesting indeed."
Standing up straight, he took a step back out of Millie's personal space.
" I would love to come by and pursue your little shop, my dear. I find myself lacking new reading material for my personal collection. You're not coming by the hotel tomorrow right?"
" W-well no, I'll be looking over my notes and making a list of books for a few days. So I'll be here."
Alastor's grin widened, " Excellent, then I will see you tomorrow my dear. Goodnight!" With a twirl of his microphone, he shadowed himself away.
Millie entered her home and locked the door. She made her way upstairs and got ready for bed. She felt a twinge of nervousness at the prospect of having the infamous Radio Demon perusing through her collection.
While she enjoyed his show and music he played, she wasn't so naive to trust him. She felt as if she was letting a wolf in deer's clothing into her home. She couldn't help but wonder what his intentions were.