Charlie's whole body felt numb. Her hand still on Alastor's knee but no longer moving. The Radio demon took a glance at the princess and his stomach dropped at the look in her eyes. She was probably disgusted with him, he thought. It was the first time he had actually told anyone his origin story. He had never even told Rosie! It wasn't the greatest of beginnings for him and he never expected her to accept him for all that he was, but it was still painful to actually see the rejection happen. He never blamed his father's cruelty or the murder of his mother for the way he turned out. It was just the cards that were dealt to him.

"You've must've been so scared."

Alastor blinked hard a few times, turning his head more towards Charlie to make sure he heard her correctly.

"One more time?" He was sure he didn't hear her right. She squeezed his knee in confirmation. A sad smile on her face as she looked him in the eyes.

"You were just a kid. A child! A-And you had to handle all of that on your own?" Her bottom lip trembled. Alastor's eyes grew wide in astonishment. She wasn't looking at him like he was a monster. She didn't seem frightened that he carved his father like a Thanksgiving turkey.

"I mean. I didn't have a choice, dear. Life throws us curveballs constantly and only the quick witted survive. I was wittier than August, hence why I won." Charlie felt the coldness from his tone and she couldn't help but be impressed by how calm and cavalier he was. If she told someone such a traumatic memory she would probably be on the floor in sobs.

"I guess." Charlie scooted closer to Alastor and she felt his whole body go rigid. She knew he wasn't comfortable but she couldn't help it. She couldn't just pat him on the back and say 'well wasn't that a story huh'.

"No need to feel sorry for me either. The Radio demon doesn't need pity." Alastor spat out. He loathed the idea of someone feeling bad for him. It made him feel like a charity case and he refused for Charlie to see him as such. He probably would've preferred her to run out screaming in fear.

"I'm not pitying the Radio demon. I'm attempting to comfort Alastor."

"You sound ridiculous, darling. They are both the same person." Charlie knitted her eyebrows together, hellbent on getting her point across.

"They are not. The little boy who had to help...bury his mother was not the Radio demon. Even the man who killed his father in self defense wasn't the Radio demon." Alastor abruptly stood up spooking Charlie in the process.

"I didn't kill him in self defense. I could just as easily knocked him out and escaped. But instead I decided to give him a permanent smile and skewer his whiskey coated throat. And you know what? I enjoyed it. I enjoyed every second of it and don't think for one second that I'm not that person because I am."

Charlie felt her stomach turn at the graphic details, but stood her ground. She got up and was face to face with Alastor, no more than 4 inches away. She suddenly remembered the conversation she had with her own father.

You need to trust yourself more. Trust that when and if the time comes where you need to protect someone you love, your powers will come through in time.

Sure, she wasn't in a physical battle protecting Alastor right now. But she currently felt like she was trying to protect him emotionally. If she left right now and decided not to fight him on this, he would be in worse shape than before. She thought of the memory her father had told her and realized how lucky she was that her parents were there to protect her. To save her. And here's Alastor who had a completely different upbringing. She couldn't help but imagine what she would've done if she could've been there during Alastor's childhood. She would've protected him at all costs much like she would do now. The anger sitting in her chest, caused from multiple reasons, helped her to be able to raise her voice and make Alastor pay attention to her.

"I'm fully aware who you are, Alastor. I know you enjoy sadistic tortures and brutal deaths. I know that you get some kind of high from watching people struggle and fail but what I am saying is that you did not deserve for any of that to happen to you. No one deserves that. Your father was a dick and..." Charlie paused. She wasn't sure if she should continue but from the look in Alastor's eyes, she went on. "And your mother would've been so proud of you."

Alastor looked at Charlie as his mind raced about what he should do. His spine was tingling with electricity and every fiber of his being wanted to embrace her. She really didn't see him in any darker light. She didn't even blame him for the brutality he was responsible for in his youth.

"You truly are remarkable, Charlie Morningstar."

Charlie instinctively wrapped her arms around Alastor, not caring how bad his reaction would be. Maybe she was being selfish but for some reason every part of her needed to hold onto him at this moment. She felt like if she didn't he would evaporate into nothing.

"I'm here if you ever need me. You know that right?" Charlie mumbled, her mouth being partially covered by Alastor's high shoulder pad. She felt his arms wrap around her in return and she could've swore she heard him sniffle.

"And I you, dear." Charlie let go first and Alastor removed his grip as if he got burnt. She looked him in the eyes and saw that his expression was a lot more soft. His grin was still wide as ever but somehow there was something different with it. Something more kind.

"Well. I will leave you alone now since I've made you dig up some...rather uncomfortable memories! You don't have to do the team building exercise either! Consider it your day off." She backed away from the couch towards the door, Alastor's gaze never leaving her.

"That's not needed! I'm perfectly capable of participating in one of your whimsical ideas." He grabbed his microphone and strolled over to her.

"Are you sure? You really don't have to!" She waved her hands theatrically. Alastor chuckled and glided right past her.

"Dear, August and mama will still be gone whether I join you or not." He opened the door open and stepped to the side. "Ladies first."

Charlie smiled as she left with Alastor on her heels. She refused to point out that he had said 'mama'.