A/N:

Hi everyone! Here it is, a really big emotional chapter between Alastor and Angel on their first date w There's lots of fluff and talking and cuteness ahead, and I hope you like it. Thanks for reading!

Partners

Chapter 35:

Bare Our Souls

When the magic dissipated, Angel felt a flicker of fear at his new surroundings and how overlord-like they were despite how different from other overlords Alastor seemed. The spider had to push away memories of being summoned to Valentino's apartments for 'fun'…or punishment. Then he took a deep breath and observed the place carefully until all of the Alastor details about it made him feel more at ease. He was in some kind of fancy penthouse done up in shades of red and black - the furnishings were minimal but elegant, and the decorations consisted of a lot of antlers and deer skulls on the walls. The far wall held a large fireplace lit with red flames that also flickered green or purple sometimes. An ornate, old-fashioned radio stood on a pedestal against the opposite wall. And directly ahead dark curtains half covered windows overlooking the pentagram and…Cannibal Colony.

So they were still in the radio tower - just a different part. And there on a red velvet sofa on the center of the room sat Alastor, dark magic and symbols swirling around him.

Angel watched him for a moment then sighed and came around the side of the sofa so he could see the deer demon's face - as he had suspected, the Radio Demon appeared to be in demon mode. Alastor's eyes were radio dials and his smile was too wide, and his teeth were sharp, and clicks of static sounded off of him. Angel also noticed that his hands gripped the sofa cushions on either side of his body and that his breaths were quick and shallow.

The spider moved a little closer but still kept his distance. "It's not working, you know. I don't think you're in some demonic fit that you can't snap out of. And I'm not gonna give up and leave or whatever. I just want to explain what I said down there - what I meant. Then if you need some space, that's fine, I get it. But at least let me tell you, Alastor - the right way."

Alastor took a deep breath in and out, and then the demonics faded. He still kept his eyes not looking at Angel, and he hugged his microphone close.

Angel smiled a little - that thing was like a stuffed animal or a blanket for Alastor, he realized.

Then Alastor turned to him with a far too bright smile. "My apologies, Angel Dust! I wasn't intending to avoid further conversation. I merely required a moment to think, and turning up the demonic static helps me sometimes. Thank you for joining me up here! I do believe the rum fumes in the radio studio were getting far too heady. Ha!"

"Heh…" Angel tilted his head, half smiling. "Smiles…you're acting a little TOO smiley. Where are you going with this?"

"Nowhere! Where else would I be? We're on a date after all! As you did an excellent job of pointing out downstairs!" He swung a fist through the air.

"You know we gotta talk…"

"But there's nothing to talk about!" Alastor shrugged. "You aren't…enamored of me, Angel! You're just confused!" He put on his laugh track and waved off Angel, his eyes darting around the room before settling back on the spider again.

Angel crossed his arms and took a seat on the other end of the sofa. "Okay, I'll bite - explain my feelings to me and how I could possibly be confused. I really want to hear this one, Al."

Alastor rolled his eyes. "It's my fault really. I wanted this evening to be special, so I may have…poured on the charm a bit thickly. Rosie's always telling me not to show off like that with other demons, like the cannibal ladies - she always says one day there'll be consequences. And now here we are! One overlord battle, one meal, and one dance together - and you're spouting amorous notions! Clearly I should have…calibrated myself better." He tugged at his collar.

Angel smiled a little. "Well, you're right about one thing and dead wrong about another thing."

Alastor tilted his head and gripped his microphone for dear life.

Angel explained. "You really are charming as hell when you try. But I didn't fall in love with you tonight. I mean, get a grip, Al - I do have some self control despite your top notch wooing." He rolled his eyes then flushed a bit pink. "Alastor, I've been in love with you for weeks."

For a just a moment, Alastor's ears dropped, his monocle fell out of his eye…and his glow went out as his smile fell away completely to a simple line of his lips.

Angel's eyes widened at the sight. Then Alastor quickly scrambled and plastered on the smile - his glow flickered back into existence and he shoved his monocle back in. Static grew, coming from his ears and microphone. "Ha!" Left him in a garbled voice. "Don't jest, Angel!"

"I'm not!" Angel moved close and looked into his eyes with a stubborn pout. "Maybe up there wasn't the right time to say it — I got carried away. And I know we still have a lot to learn about each other. But somewhere along the way, I already fell in love with you." He blushed pink all through his white fur now. He held up his hands. "Look, nothing's gotta change… I don't expect you to feel the same way or to say it back or treat me any different." And then he blinked to realize there were tears in his eyes. "But yeah, you made this night so great that I just…couldn't help the truth popping out like that. You give a damn and you get me and we're good together! I only hope I haven't scared you off, heh…heh…" He struggled to maintain a smile as he looked down and pushed the tears from his face as quickly as possible. "And sorry, I don't know what's with the water works. I never told a guy I loved him, so that's probably why I'm getting misty here…"

He felt something under his chin and realized it was the edge of Alastor's microphone, gently guiding his eyes back up to meet the Radio Demon's.

Alastor glowed very brightly. "I'm…the first one?"

Angel raised an eyebrow and nodded as Alastor's microphone slipped away.

The radio demon bit his lip, considering. "Then… I do apologize most deeply for running off. For trying to pretend it couldn't be so. And I hope I may still give you a good memory of your first time, like the one you gave me…in my office…with my first kiss." With a flick of his wrist and a puff of magic, Alastor was holding out a hanky and gazing into Angel's eyes.

Angel blinked then hesitantly took the hanky and dabbed at his face. "Look - if by 'good memory' you mean humoring me when you don't really mean it or aren't comfortable, then please don't, Al. We're better than that."

"No, no such games," the Radio Demon replied said gently. "Because I do understand how intense feelings can happen 'along the way'." He gripped the microphone tighter and Angel flushed more and eyed Alastor shyly, wondering if the demon was implying something. "But you must understand too, Angel…I'm still concerned that your deep feelings are misplaced. in death and life I'm a person only a mother could love. I accepted that a long time ago."

"Alastor, that is not true." Angel moved closer but still gave the deer some space. "And I'm the proof, heh…" He tried to smile and found himself wiping away a few more tears. "Smiles, you not deserving love - it just ain't true. Down here or up there."

The Radio Demon's ears twitched and his brow furrowed, like he was considering something. "We said once that if we had known each other in life…maybe we could have been something together." He shook his head, and his smile tightened to something sharp and cold. "But we couldn't have. Because I only would have shared half my life with you, the same as I did with others. Angel, I'm not some unlucky soul who happened to perish faintly tangled in a few mortal sins who came down here and got carried away. I was a rather deranged and successful serial killer…who occasionally dined upon his victims. I found horrible people who society wouldn't touch, spirited them away, and then made them suffer an agonizing death at the hands of the only person more horrible than they were - myself. And the satisfaction of all that rage within me felt exquisite." His eyes were wide and shining. "I offer no peace. You would have hated me in life…Anthony. And I would not have been good enough for you."

Angel's eyes were very wide. He swallowed "Okay…okay look, I'm not saying all that detail isn't a lot to take in. But Al, at the end of the day, we didn't meet up there. We met down here, as who we are now. And I do love you." He sniffed and had to use the hanky again. "And what, you don't think you might have hated ME back in life? Some clingy wide-eyed streetwalker with no class or money or future. Do you have any idea what I used to do out there, Al? First to survive and then for drugs and then just to feel anything. You got some deep problems in your head - I know that! And I got some deep problems in my heart… But when I'm with you, it feels like all the pieces are there somehow to make each other whole even if we have to borrow from each other a little." He laughed and wiped his eyes again. "Fuck, that was corny. See what you do to me, Al!"

"And what do you think you do to me, you delightful creature!?" Alastor came closer, arms spread dramatically. "Finding my special relationship with you has reminded me of everything special about my few other relationships with others in hell. You've given me elation and yearning and made me feel utterly resurrected. I might never have cooked someone a good meal or gone dancing without a care or battled on the grounds of hell for fun for the rest of eternity without finding the hotel and you. I am HAPPY Angel!" He blinked a few times as a screech of static came out of him. He winced, glowing completely as two tears rolled own his face and burned off. "I am very happy with you, Angel…" he added softly. "I can't say that I lo… I told you, my feelings have never been quite in line with common ones regarding relationships. But my feelings for you are ever-growing and shifting and blooming into something new. And they fill whatever is left of my tattered heart and remind me of a time when it was whole."

Angel was shyly beaming. "I…do all that…for you?"

Alastor nodded.

Angel clasped his hands together. "So, like, maybe…you're falling for me, just in your own way and your own time…?"

"Quite completely, I fear," Alastor added with a half smile. Angel smiled completely in return.

They had both moved closer on the sofa. Alastor set down his microphone, hesitated, then reached out. "May we hold hands now?"

Angel wiped away a few final tears. "I'd really like that." He took Alastor's hand and squeezed. "You know, you were really good on the dance floor. You lead like a champ."

"Mother taught me how to dance. I never forgot. And you were quite the graceful partner." He squeezed Angel's hand in return then blinked and gestured around the room with his microphone. "Oh, um…this is my quarters! I'm sorry for the abrupt change of venue. Let me make us more comfortable." He snapped his fingers. Firelight glowed within the deer skulls and the curtains closed all the way to offer privacy and highlight the effect of the lighting. Alastor twitched one of his ears and the radio came on, playing a gentle jazz tune.

"It's classy and pretty - very you," Angel observed with a little extra smile.

"I thought I was beautiful and terrifying," Alastor replied with a little extra smile before he could stop himself.

Angel interlaced their fingers more. "You're all of the above."

Alastor glowed very much and little sparks ran off of his ears. "As are you, darling."

Angel blushed and giggled. "You sure that whole 'deer in the headlights' disappearing act downstairs wasn't just a put on to get me up here so you could sweet talk me?"

Alastor smirked a little. "I have no instincts to be that conniving about affairs of the heart." His eyes widened then glanced around at the indeed quite intimate setting then back to Angel. "I did not mean to suggest by bringing you up here that we should escalate—"

"Shh…" Angel held up a finger near his lips. "We just kicked a bunch of ass in battle, ate a ton of delicious food, and danced like we had no damns to give. This is good, Alastor - this is enough and so are you." He pressed his thumb against Alastor's palm.

Alastor's eyes hazed. One of his ears twitched without thought. The radio station shifted - amorous tones laced with saxophone and warm strings came from the speakers now.

Alastor jumped and practically fell against Angel. He quickly scrambled back up and bumped into his own microphone then nearly knocked over the coffee table until Angel finally stopped the attack of fluster by taking both of Alastor's hands in his. "Al! Al, breathe…what's up?"

"I haven't eaten demon flesh!" suddenly blurted out of the radio demon's mouth.

Angel blinked. "Uh…okay…but last I checked that just makes your powers a little less lethal than usual, it doesn't make you panic or put on the mood music." He raised an eyebrow. "And why haven't you eaten any?"

"Ever since the open house I haven't eaten demon flesh because…" His glow was so bright that he almost had a rose blush at the center of his cheeks. "Because…I thought that if we kissed this evening it might be more palatable for you if I didn't partake. And I needed you to know that fact right now, and I don't know why!" He brought hand to his head, and a weak laugh escaped him. "I have these sudden new ideas and thoughts and interests! Because I like you and I want you to like me, Angel! And I don't want to mess up what we have! And I adore that you love me!" He held Angel's hands tightly.

Angel's eyes were wide…and then his small smile spread wide across his face, and his eyes hazed.

Alastor released him, and with a flick of his ears the music returned to normal. He backed away on the sofa, pouting. "That admission was not some kind of invitation!"

Angel rested his elbow on the top of the sofa and leaned his head against his hand. "I know… I'm just thinking about back in that alley, when the laser almost hit me and you pulled me away and pinned me to the wall. The way you looked at me… It's nice to know I wasn't imagining all of that doubt and desire in your eyes."

Alastor looked away, arms crossed. "That was different - complicated." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Embarrassing to an extent."

"Okay, well now I definitely wanna hear more. I'm not gonna laugh - I'm just gonna listen."

Out of the corner of his eye Alastor saw Angel wink. The Radio Demon swallowed. "You were safe…and a good battle gets my blood pumping…"

"In a southern direction or…?"

Alastor's eyes turned to radio dials and he glared.

Angel held up his hands. "Sorry, sorry - keep going…"

Alastor's eyes returned to normal. He glowed brightly still. "And well…you…and the battle…and then the eggs. I haven't eaten demon flesh in a few days ,and I like eggs very much. And the battlefield was strewn with them and the air was thick with them and you were drenched in them, and something about the sight just made me feel compelled to…"

"To…what?"

"I don't know!" Alastor flung out his arms. "If I had to put it into words…I suppose…to hold you very close and not let go…maybe tasting a drop of the egg clinging to your hair." He sighed. "I'm a very twisted person, Angel."

"Oh, you ain't twisted." Angel waved him off. "You just got some nifty little kinks."

"It was NOT sexua—"

"They don't have to be sexual! You just have some things that rub you the right way - excite you. Winning a fight is one of them. A fresh kill is another one of them. Maybe being my hero and saving me is one more…?"

Alastor swallowed. "Perhaps…"

Angel leaned closer. "You know what'll help with one of those things in the future? Eat your damn demon flesh as long as you want it."

"But—"

"I don't care what you eat so long as you clean up before our mouths start doing things." Angel shrugged. "I mean, you know sucking dick is part of my job but you still wanna kiss me maybe, right?"

Alastor wrinkled his nose but then tugged at his collar and nodded very firmly.

"Great!" Angel brightened up. "You got your cannibal stuff, I got my sex stuff - when it comes to 'us' stuff we can put both those things aside." His voice softened. "And if you've got other stuff you're worried about that comes up, you can tell me. You don't have to be all alone and anxious. I love you…"

Alastor's posture relaxed a little. He turned to Angel Dust. "You can tell me as well, you know. If there is anything for us on your mind that you're curious about."

Angel blushed a little and played with his fingers. Alastor raised an eyebrow. Angel bit his lip. "Sometime maybe…do you think you'll kiss me on the lips all on your own? The kisses on my hand and my cheek the other night were great… and those couple on my neck were, whew…" He fanned himself. "I just hope you'll feel comfortable enough to try for my lips one day. I get insecure too, and it's nice to feel wanted. And you really are good at leading, Smiles."

Angel was very stunned when two gloved hands reached out and gently held his head on either side. He looked up. Alastor's eyes had that look again - like a deer about to joyfully crash into oblivion. And then he closed those glowing eyes and pulled in a stunned Angel for a firm but awkward kiss that lingered. The Radio Demon separated their mouths, breathing heavily. "I think…one off my kin— 'special interests' might be when you admire my abilities in any subject, Angel darling." His smile grew. "Just to be sure - would you tell me again that I'm beautiful and terrifying?"

Angel's eyes were completely hazed. "Oh, you're so fucking beautiful and terrify—" Alastor's mouth pressed to his again for a kiss that made Angel moan before the Radio Demon pulled back once more.

Alastor released Angel's face and brought his hands to his lap, looking down in uncertainty. "Am I doing it right? You are an excellent teacher, but I—"

"There's no damn way to do it wrong - THAT'S HALF THE FUN!" Angel giggled. "Your kisses are good, Al… They're full of feeling." He grinned. "Since you're taking care of the lips, want me to try taking care of some other places? Like what you did for me in your office?"

Alastor tilted his head then blinked in realization. "…Yes. But only places not covered by clothes for now."

"I can work with that, cutie." Angel crawled forward on all fours and leaned in close to kiss Alastor's cheek. Then he trailed slow kisses up toward Alastor's ear and down toward his neck.

The Radio Demon closed is eyes and sighed. He took one of Angel's hands again.

Angel murmured near his ear. "Can I touch your hair?"

Alastor's eyes opened a little. He nodded. "The ends - not my ears. They're connected to radio waves and - I'd prefer no more musical surprises from the radio. Ha…"

Angel chuckled and gently touched the edges of Alastor's hair. "I like the color. It's like…"

"Blood, I know." Alastor rolled his eyes. "A bit on the money for my taste but I've learned to work with it."

Angel shook his head. "I was gonna say like strawberries." Alastor raised an eyebrow and Angel went on. "You know when you first walked into the hotel and Vaggie was freaking out cuz you were the Radio Demon, I might have told her you looked like a strawberry pimp."

Alastor blinked twice and then his smile grew and he laughed heartily, wiping a tear from his eye. Angel sat back on his knees and laughed too. Alastor finally sighed and composed himself. "I'm afraid you couldn't have been more wrong dear."

"I still think you look strawberry flavored." Angel blinked and flushed. "I mean - you know what I mean. Not in a way like, 'I can suck your…' I-I just mean, I like your shade of red." He shrugged, looking sheepish as Alastor tried not to laugh. Then he swallowed and fished for a new topic of conversation. "Were you a redhead back on earth? I mean, if you don't mind saying."

Alastor hesitated, glowing a little at first, then reached up and touched the dark edges of his hair. "Actually, my hair was this brown color. And my eyes were as well. Though of course they couldn't turn into radio dials - ha!"

Angel listened in interest, knees pulled in and with a warm smile on his face. "Bet you still had a big winning smile."

"An utterly perfect one really," Alastor mused, head held high. "Of course, being on the radio, a smile is rarely seen. But mark my words people can hear it in an announcer's voice." His eyes grew far away for a moment, looking at one of his arms. "I took pride in my appearance. Hell took away a great deal of that joy."

Angel frowned a little and looked down at himself. "I…get what you mean. I liked how I looked in life. A lot. At first, the spider thing…kind of broke my heart a little, even if I did get away with being a pretty-looking one. Sometimes I feel kind of lost in this body. Sometimes…I feel like no one thinks I'm sexy - like they all think I'm ugly and they're just laughing about it behind my back after every show or service provided."

"They're not," Alastor assured gently. "You're very pleasing to look at. Now and…back in life, I'm sure."

Angel smiled very much. "I'm glad you got to keep some of your hair color so I could see it."

"What color was your hair?" Alastor asked, observing Angel's wi.d locks.

"Blonde. Real light. And blue eyes." He rolled his eyes. "Don't tell anyone."

"Tell them what? That you resembled a fair angel on earth just as much as you hint at one in your form down here?" Alastor grinned, his eyes hazed.

Angel snorted. "Shut up, ya flirt!" The spider's look grew faraway for a moment. "I had freckles too. And my cheeks were pink and rosy. I liked it cuz it was like I was wearing blush that no one could take off. I liked my skin." He glanced down at his fur-covered appendages.

Alastor's smile decreased a little. He nodded. "I liked my skin too. It was warm and dark, like rich-honey, and clean. Now there's a pallor about it I can never escape. And the scars."

Angel glanced at the brief space between where Alastor's shirt sleeve ended and his glove began and bit his lip. "Do they hurt? When Husk and I cleaned you up after the Radio Tower fight, I was worried…" He blinked and brushed away a tear. "Even when he told me they weren't fresh, I was worried maybe…you'd been doing something bad to yourself."

Alastor moved a little closer and shook his head, looking at the area too. "They're scars from every cut I made into one of my victims. They don't hurt. They're just reminders of how I've damaged my soul beyond all repair."

"I don't believe that." Angel pulled his knees in closer. "Maybe I've been spending too much time around Charlie but…I'm really starting to think that as long as a soul wants it and works for it, maybe anyone can be…redeemed a little or whatever." Alastor's look grew dry and Angel pouted and rolled a hand in the air. "I'm not saying that people can get magically dragged up to heaven for sure. I'm just saying that even if we're stuck down here in hell, we can be better to each other and ourselves. And then maybe this shit hole won't be so shitty."

Alastor observed him for a moment. Then he clasped his hands together and took a breath. "After the time I have spent with Charlie and the others and yourself…I will perhaps grant that a better hell is a possibility. And if heaven isn't an option then I WANT a better hell - for you."

Angel blushed but hesitated. "What about…for you?"

Alastor's smile weakened. "I do what needs to be done, regardless of the sin. I'm already in so deep, Angel. Changing my methods to something gentler now would only make other overlords attack me to exploit new weaknesses. And if heaven does turn out to be an option…I've gone too far to have any hope for it, Angel. I can't change what I've done, I can only move forward, responsible for my choices."

Angel frowned a little. "You gotta know - if heaven really is an option, I'm not going anywhere without you, Alastor."

Alastor opened his mouth, clearly about to protest.

Angel held up a finger, his look firm. "I ain't leaving you, capiche? You know you'd do the same for me."

Alastor had to close his mouth and nod at that assessment. He sighed, his eyes shining a little.

Angel's smile returned. Then he rubbed the back of his neck. "You know, uh…we're talking about some…pretty heavy, longterm stuff here. Does that mean that we're…officially dating?"

Alastor tilted his head. "Eternally, if you wouldn't mind," left him without hesitation.

Angel's eyes widened and he smiled more. "I think they call that being married, Smiles."

Alastor's ears twitched and some static built around his head, but otherwise his wide eyes just stayed on Angel until Angel's heart was pounding so much that he had to break the silence. "So, uh…we'll be doing this again then sometime soon, Alastor. Al! You know, more dates. Heh…" He swallowed shyly.

"Yes indeed!" Alastor nodded, perking up entirely. Then he glanced to the side. "For our next one I was going to propose that I murder Valentino and install you as head of the lust district. But since you seem to want to avoid a more sinful path…perhaps a picture show instead?"

Angel snorted through his nose and laughed, shaking his head. "Sure - as long as murder and racketeering are out, a movie sounds fun!"

"Perhaps an old gangster film!" Alastor suggested. "One with all those guns you admire."

Angel's smile warmed. "So you like that kind of tough, streetwise side of me, huh?"

"Of course - I find you fascinating, darling."

The spider's grin grew. "Al…even if it's a secret and even though we just started dating, do you wanna be beaus now? Cuz I…I've worked my way through all of hell and - for me, you're it."

Alastor's glow grew. "You're quite the bees knees yourself, mon beau."

Angel giggled and popped a kiss onto Alastor's cheek that made the Radio Demon all but light up. Angel pulled back, smirking. "You're so cute when you speak French. I think that's one of MY kinks about YOU at this point. You really got so many pretty ways of talking."

"Necessary for wooing a charming creature such as yourself," slipped out of Alastor in a slight daze. Angel blushed and giggled again, and Alastor chuckled with a faint, pleasant hum of static.

"We did a real good job on this first date, Smiles," Angel observed. "I'm excited about more."

"As am I." Alastor swallowed and then glanced at his pocket watch. "Half past two - well we certainly made a night of it. We should get home or there'll be quite the chatter from the girls!"

"Yeah," Angel agreed with a nod. "But those lightweights probably passed out ages ago. They won't even notice when we come in."

Neither man made a move to leave.

"Are you tired, Smiles?"

"Not particularly. You, Angel?"

"Nope. Heh…"

"Then perhaps our night shouldn't end yet." Alastor crossed his legs, looking forward. "We could manage a little more time together, certainly."

"I could be persuaded." Angel grinned. "Anything on your mind to do together?"

Alastor shrugged. "You know, it's the strangest thing. You understand I am…hesitant about being touched sometimes. Yet I find myself with the strangest compulsion to touch you - sometimes." He sighed. "I have an interest in anatomy and yours is…"

Angel grinned, glancing to the side with a humble blush, knees pulled in coyly. "Sexy?"

Alastor rolled his eyes. "It's perfection. An ideal harmony of proportions and grace. You are without flaw, and I could never bring myself to cut you open and dissect your secrets. So I seek other methods of expressing my admiration."

Angel was blushing red, his eyes wide, his smile gone. "I-I…Wow, damn, that's…not something I've heard before. No one ever… I-I mean, technically it's the truth, heh! This body is flawless! But you don't gotta pour on the charm like all that…"

Alastor moved closer, his voice low and soft with radio static. "It is not charm. It's the truth, mon sacre ange. You are a work of art, and you have my full fascination. "

Angel's eyes fluttered. "You can fascinate yourself with me however you want, babe."

Alastor swallowed. Then he slowly moved forward - Angel leaned back, uncertain where this was going, until Alastor wrapped his arms around the spider's lithe torso and hugged him close. The Radio Demon sighed very deeply, and Angel felt his smile grow. The spider raised an eyebrow. "You wanted to hug me?"

Alastor nodded. "Very much so, yes. You're warm…" He held him closer.

Angel leaned back a little onto the arm of the sofa, and Alastor followed, not releasing him."Do you want me to hug you too?"

Alastor gave off pleasant sounds of soft static as he nodded. "Just one set of hands, and lightly please."

Angel did so, fingers resting along Alastor's spine. Angel could feel the curve and the bones beneath the Radio Demon's shirt, and the faint raise of scars as well. Then he watched his awe as something happened - Alastor's tail wagged and did not stop.

"Al…?"

"Hmm?"

"Is your tail happy to see me?"

Alastor cuddled shyly against him. The tail kept wagging. "Damn. I never put my coat back on. But why hide it anymore? This happens around you constantly, you know."

"S'okay." Angel smiled more and gently rubbed Alastor's back with one hand. "It's cute as hell, actually." With his other hand he touched the ends of Alastor's hair again. "You know, there's an irony here that YOU'RE the cannibal but SPIDERS are usually the ones who eat their mates."

Alastor scoffed and then laughed deeply until Angel felt some wetness on his blouse as tears coming from the radio demon's eyes. Alastor looked up at him. "Well, we certainly are quite the mixed up wacky pairing!" Angel laughed too. Their eyes caught. Then Alastor's eyes hazed and he leaned closer and lightly pressed his lips to Angel's. Angel's eyes hazed too, and he lightly returned the gesture, until they were kissing each other at once.

Angel pulled back after a moment, breathless. "Al…you know…if you teleport us back to the hotel, we could maybe put that secret door between our rooms to good use and take this to one of our beds - no pressure, there's just more space so we'd both be more comfortable. And I liked spending the night with you, after the open house. I want to do it again." Angel's voice became gentle. "And if anything does come up you wanna explore…that could happen too."

Alastor glowed so much. He hesitated, brow furrowed in thought. "I…understand your logic. But I feel as though I can fraternize with you on an alternative surface or I can lie on the bed covers holding hands. But I cannot combine the two just yet." His ears went down.

Angel traced the curve of his cheek and smiled gently. "That's okay. Remember, we got eternity together, Al. And I ain't going anywhere…" He swallowed as Alastor's hug tightened a bit more and his ears returned to normal. The Radio Demon settled comfortably over him.

Then Alastor's head turned and shifted so one of his ears pressed into one side of Angel's fluff.

"Al?"

"Your heartbeat is exquisite. Tantalizing and soothing all at once." He glanced at the pink and white fluff peeking out of Angel's shirt and blushed. "And those pink lines - they're like the opposite of scars. They're beautiful."

Angel smiled a little more. "They're not just lines, you know. Wanna see?"

A faint hum of static left Alastor's ears. "Maybe…"

Angel laughed and then used an extra pair of his hands to undo most of his buttons and let his shirt open.

Alastor lifted his head and looked down. His eyes widened at the lines swirling together to create a heart shape over Angel's body. "There is a heart around your heart. How poetic."

"Not usually the word used describe me but I'll take it." Angel blushed and smiled more.

Alastor's hand was up but he hesitated, eyes continuing to trace the heart.

Angel noticed. "Hey, Al? You know how being touched ain't really your thing? Well, it IS really my thing. So you don't have to worry or wait when it comes to me."

Alastor's eyes met his. "I am happy to touch you. But you deserve consideration and contemplation. You deserve the respect of a gentle hand." And then one of Alastor's fingers lightly began to trace the heart over Angel's body.

Angel's back arched a little as he held back a moan. "Alastor…" left him breathily

Alastor finished tracing the heart, glowing very much, then lightly kissed the center.

One of Angel's legs hooked around his on impulse. A jolt of static came from Alastor and his eyes turned to radio dials for a moment. Angel blinked at the sound then quickly removed his leg. "S-Sorry! Instinct, heh. I… I've wanted you to touch me for a really long time."

Alastor returned to normal. "Don't be sorry. I've wanted to touch you for a long time."

They both stared at each other, blushing awkwardly.

Then Alastor swallowed and added casually, "Just…not all at once. Ha…" He cleared his throat and tugged at his collar. "After all why not savor every new experience?"

"Going slow can be fun…" Angel grinned and twirled a piece of Alastor's hair around his fingers and then dragged a finger down to play with his bow tie. "No reason to rush something this good."

Alastor's bow tie was loose as Angel moved his finger away. Alastor's eyes were hazed and his smile was dreamy. "Perfectly put, mon bel ange." Then with a deep breath he tugged at his tie and removed it, letting a little more of his neck and collar show.

Angel giggled at the sight. "Wanna just have some fun making out, then we can head home?"

"Making out? Is that what you call what we were doing last time with the extensive exchange of kisses?"

"Yeah. And I'm pretty into it with you, mio cervo." Angel rolled the 'R' a little on his tongue, and Alastor's ears perked up straight as his tail wagged mercilessly.

"I'll move so you can sit up," Alastor quickly offered.

Angel shook his head. "Naw, let's stay like this. I like you on top of me," he finished with a cheeky grin.

Alastor rolled his eyes, calming a little as he added, "And this time…not all of your hands have to keep to themselves. I like 'making out' while we hug better than merely holding hands, I think." He settled against Angel's chest fluff, and a bright-eyed Angel moved a hand up near his shoulder to let his fingertips brush Alastor's neck. They came together for gentle kisses, and in between joked and talked more about their human selves and flirted playfully. The twilight hours ticked by, but they were in no rush to leave each other. There was always time for just one more kiss, and another, and another.

A/N:

Thank you guys so much for reading! This chapter was really important to me and took a while to write - I really wanted to take our boys into a new place in their emotional journey together. I hope you liked it. Thank you for your support!

I'm a little overwhelmed right now with work and some other things in life so I have to take a small break for a couple of weeks. I'll be back before the end of the month with more - thank you for your patience!

Take care!

-Azure129