The sweetheart and the psychopath.

Alastor's POV

My knuckles met the stained glass in a rhythmic knock.

I stood back and waited patiently, running my thumbs gently over Aria's arm. I looked down at her, taking in her appearance.

Without that anxious pinch in her face, she looks just as I'm used to. The freckles across her nose were a dead giveaway that this was in fact my Aria.

Her breaths were soft and even. I need to get her a place to stay, and then some food...she looks absolutely famished. She doesn't have much room to get any smaller.

The door in front of me clicked, opening wide to reveal a smiling princess.

"Hello! Welcome to the-" her words caught, and I gave her a smile.

Her smile, however, fell instantly.

"Alastor..." she said, and I chuckled before brushing past her and into the hotel.

"Yes, hello, Charlie. I hope you've been well, dear," I said, and the soft sound of the door closing was the response I received.

I turned towards her, wide smile spread across my face.

"I do hope you have some spare room? I need to get this little sweetheart situated," I said and she just blinked and stared at me. Then her eyes fell to the girl in my arms.

She hurried over, looking at her.

"Is she Ok? What happened?" Charlie questioned, her tone sounding worried. I opened my mouth to explain, but I was cut off by a growl.

"Hijo de puta!" Came an angry voice from behind me, and my eyelids lowered. I turned to face the insect, putting on my best fake smile.

"Vagatha! How nice-"

Then there was a spear to my throat.

"How dare you show your ugly backstabbing face around here!" She seethed at me, and I felt myself become irritated.

I don't have time for this.

Any second she could wake up, and that won't be good for anyone.

"You flatter me, Vaggie, truly. I can explain my absence after we get my friend here situated," I offered, honeying my tone.

Charlie pushed the spear away from my neck, and then put her hands on her girlfriend's shoulders reassuringly. Vaggie huffed and then she seemed to finally notice the woman I was holding.

She gasped sharply, immediately becoming angry again.

"What did you do!" She accused me, and my composure finally snapped at the implication that I was the cause of her current state.

"Would you shut up, you useless insect!" I bit at her, and her and Charlie's eyes both widened.

I sighed then, and took a deep breath.

"I will explain...later...right now I need a room, because I want to get her fixed up before she wakes up and tries to fight everyone in this room, so please can I-"

"Room 450," Charlie cut off my rambled excuses, and waved her hand. A key jangled into existence and she handed it to me.

"Welcome back, Al..." she said with a warm smile. Vaggie scoffed, but said nothing. I gave her a genuinely grateful smile, and teleported up to the fourth floor.

"450...450..." I murmured to myself as I walked down the long hallway. The door came into view, and I shifted Aria in my arms so that I could unlock it.

"Here we are, darling," I whispered to her, and as soon as I walked into the room I waved my hand and fixed it up.

I tailored it to resemble her style, and also made it a tad bit larger for her.

After laying her gently onto the bed, I pulled back and looked at her. Her clothing was tattered, covered in dirt and grime. Her skin wasn't much better.

Not to mention the many scars, cuts, and bruises adorning her once smooth skin.

I felt guilt tie a knot in my chest at the sight. If only I'd been there for you...if I'd found you sooner...maybe you wouldn't be this broken woman...

A heavy sigh left my lungs and I gently removed her shirt. Luckily, she was wearing a bra...very torn and dirty, but it was there.

I looked over her stomach, placing my hand on her skin. First I'll check for any internal damage.

She seems to be fine...healthy. Healthy-ish...

After that was out of the way, I started healing her cuts and bruises. One by one I brushed my fingers over her skin and healed the blemishes.

Once she was healed I just stared down at her. I ran my fingers through her hair, then across her cheek. My thumb brushed just under her eye, and I sighed.

Then I turned and left.

As I shut her door softly, I let out a short breath. My shadow came out of the floor, tilting his head and giving me a sympathetic look.

I shook my head, and started walking down the hall.

"Stay up here with her..." I mumbled, fixing my coat. I took a deep breath before fixing a smile onto my face and teleporting back down to the lobby.

The girls were still down there, whispering to each other. Quietly I walked up behind them, crossing my arms behind my back. I leaned down, getting between them.

"Hello!" I interrupted their chatter and both of them jumped.

"H-hey Al!" Charlie greeted, then cleared her throat. She turned to face me, keeping her eyes faced towards the floor.

Vagatha kept her eyes trained on me in a vicious glare, which I returned with a simple smug smile.

Charlie sighed, and clapped twice.

My eyes widened when suddenly we were seated. It was just her and I.

We were now in some sort of office.

The princess doesn't use her powers like that normally...

I sat up a bit straighter in my chair and looked forward, meeting her eyes. She took a deep breath and then motioned towards me.

"Go ahead, I'm waiting," she said, and I realized she means an explanation.

Ah...yes...an explanation for my very abrupt disappearance from this project.

Clearing my throat, I put on a confident facade.

"Ah, yes...princess, I do apologize for leaving so suddenly," I chuckled, "but you see, I was dealing with a bit of...personal...business."

I was hoping she'd drop the topic, but her hardened stare stayed, and she narrowed her eyes.

"Alastor, I realize I told you that you could work on this project for as long as you desire...and I meant it...however, you left us so suddenly. Not a word. Not a single word of where you were, or what you were doing. You worried us sick."

My eyes widened slightly.

Worried...?

"Princess, there's no need to worry for me, my dear. I was perfectly-"

"You don't get it, Al."

I shut up. My wide smile slowly lost its vibrance as I stared into her eyes. She didn't look angry, no not angry...

She looked relieved...but also hurt.

"We waited for months...Husk and Niffty left, too. They said that if you weren't here, their services were no longer required," she continued and I glanced to the side.

"Alastor, we thought you were dead." She said softly, and I held my breath.

I almost was...

"I even...went to see my dad," she explained exasperatedly, putting her hand over her face, "and he told us that you weren't even in hell."

When her hand removed from her face and her eyes met mine again, they were glossy.

"So we just assumed..."

Guilt tugged at my heart, and I cursed it. I don't have a soft spot for many people, but there's a select few that I just can't stand to see so upset.

Charlie is one of them.

"Dear..." I sighed, "I apologize...for the way I left. I really do..." I said and clenched my fist in my lap.

Maybe telling the truth...is my best option. I let out a sigh and closed my eyes.

"If I tell you the full story...I need you to promise me that you'll keep it as a secret. Not because I wish to hide things from the others, but simply for her sake..." I said quietly, and opened my eyes to meet hers.

She looked at me intently, and furrowed her brows, "her...? You mean that girl you came in here with?"

I nodded.

She glanced around my features and then the hardness in her expression relaxed. She nodded, and a little smile rose to her face.

"Sure, Alastor...go ahead, let's hear it," she said and I took in another deep breath, preparing to recount the story.

**

After I was finished, Charlie had a hand placed over her mouth, eyes wide.

"Alastor...you almost got exorcised?" She breathed out in disbelief. I nodded.

"Yes...I got us into a whole mess just because I wasn't man enough to do what was right from the beginning..." I said bitterly, and then sighed.

"But I finally found her..." I continued, my voice calming slightly. The thought of that makes my chest feel warm.

She's safe...she's here...

"...you said...you love her?" Charlie asked me softly, and I fiddled with my fingers in my lap nervously.

Without meeting her eyes I nodded.

"I do...but like I said, she doesn't recall our relationship at all...so please keep this between us. I wouldn't want to overwhelm her with all of this new information, she's already confused enough...she actually tried to fight me," I chuckled.

Charlie gasped, her hand once again covering her mouth.

"Is that why she was so bruised and cut up...?" She asked, slightly horrified. My eyes widened at the realization of how what I said sounded.

"No!" I quickly backtracked, "no, no dear...I didn't fight back. She appeared to be homeless, I...I don't think hell has been kind to her..." I said guiltily, my ears lowering slightly.

Charlie let out a soft, relieved breath.

Then she nodded, "yes...of course Al, this can stay between us," she said with a smile and I felt a bit relieved at her open mindedness.

"Thank you, Charlie," I breathed out and just then my shadow popped up, causing Charlie to jump and me to glare at him.

"I thought I told you to stay with her?" I growled at him, and he had a frantic look on his face.

She's awake! She's trying to kill the moth!

My eyes widened and I stood up quickly.

"It seems my darling has awoken, and is now very upset!" I said with a worried smile and Charlie's eyebrows shot up.

"Oh, shit." She said, and I chuckled.

Oh shit, indeed.