I don't think sorry is gonna cut it, lmao.

Also, an important announcement from yours truly so don't skip unless you wanna miss out on an opportunity~

As you all probably are aware, I do write smut. However, for this book, I was not planning to include any sex scenes—unless...you, my readers, would like them!

It is a long ways off, so don't expect to see them anytime soon, but you may lay down requests right here for smut scenes if you would like to see them! If you don't, that's fine with me, but don't pout if you did but didn't send a request my way. View the rules below.

RULES
-give me a specific place (room, car, public, etc.)
-give me a specific tone (lovey, nasty, angry, etc)
-you can add anything else you want, but it's my right to tweak your request if it contains anything that makes me uncomfortable.

Sorry for the long announcement—proceed.

Aria's POV

I'm getting more comfortable inside this hotel.

These people...a nice place to stay.

It almost feels like home...just, without the...home part.

Maybe I can make a new home here?

It's beginning to feel like that.

My skin is starting to gain a bit of its color back, and my body doesn't hurt as much as it used to.

A small smile was on my lips as I walked into the lobby. Immediately I spotted Husk behind the bar, and his eyes shifted over to me lazily.

I lifted my hand and gave him a small wave, and in return he lifted two fingers from the bottle he was currently drinking out of.

Continuing my path through the lobby, I was walking towards the library to see if I could find some more books. I finished the three I grabbed, already...

I used to love reading back home.

But reading by myself felt...weird...strange.

Wrong.

Pushing the door open, I walked into the library humming softly to myself. It was absolutely no surprise when Alastor was seated on the couch, a book floating in front of him.

My humming died down, and I walked past him, towards the sci-fi section. As I passed him I nudged his foot playfully, gaining his attention.

His eyes shifted up to mine, and I kept walking, scrunching my nose at him slightly before giggling softly.

Out of everyone in this hotel, for some reason he's the one I feel...drawn to. You know how sometimes there's just that one person who you feel closest to in a group? For me, that's him.

I don't know why...we don't even interact regularly. Whenever I see him, though, it's as if I'm seeing an old friend. I feel comfortable around him.

I noticed the corners of his relaxed grin quirk up slightly before he took in a deep breath and shook his head slightly, looking back to his book.

Making my way towards my books, I clicked my tongue quietly as I searched the spines. I grabbed the most interesting one, and looked it over, reading the back.

Satisfied, I turned and began walking back, ready to leave the library and head back up to my room to read.

However, as I walked back past Alastor, I hesitated. My brows furrowed and a few more steps took me a couple more feet forward before I stopped completely, just barely past him.

Contemplating, I tapped the hardcover of my book before turning around.

"Hey," I started softly, and he raised his eyebrows slightly, but didn't look at me.

"Yes, dear?" He replied, and my heart started beating faster again. This always happens whenever I actually talk to him. Something about his voice, that calming radio static behind it...

"C-can I...sit here with you?" I asked him, making his eyes shift towards me. Immediately I felt intimidated. No matter how comfortable I feel around him, he's still...intense.

Those beautiful eyes are a violent red, glowing ever so slightly.

He just looked at me, analyzing me. Then he shifted, scooting over slightly before motioning to the ample space next to him.

"Be my guest, honey," he said, his voice sounding surprisingly gentle for the intense stare he just gave me. I let out a quiet, relieved breath.

My small smile widened and I took my place next to him on the small couch, pulling my feet up under me.

I was curled up, engrossed in my book. The silence of the library was just like the silence of my room. The ambience was different, but that's not what has me feeling so calm.

As I was reading, I noticed that feeling in my chest from when I had read before was gone. That strange feeling that something was missing.

This feels right...

Is it him? Was I just lonely, before? That's probably it. I just needed someone to sit with.

Without realizing it, I had completely zoned out, my eyes skimming the same paragraph as I thought over this strange anomaly. When I snapped back to, I glanced over at Alastor.

He was still just quietly reading, resting against his fist. He was using his other hand to control the magic holding his book up.

I watched him curiously, watching as he flicked his fingers every so often and the page would turn in response. The soft red glow around his hand was interesting, to say the least.

"Don't you know staring is considered rude, darling?" He asked me suddenly, making me jump as I realized I was, in fact, staring at him.

My cheeks heated up immediately and I blinked. His eyes shifted towards me, a smirk on his face. The tone he used was light, and I knew he wasn't upset with me.

I still felt a bit embarrassed.

"S-sorry, I just..." I glanced at his hand that was still glowing, tilting my head, "uh...your magic...it's really cool," I said softly, my eyes falling to my hands.

My body shifted towards him, and I shut my book, making sure to save my page. He glanced at his hand, and then his lips parted slightly as he seemed to have a realization.

"Ah...my powers?" He questioned, and met my eyes again. For some reason, my ears lowered, but I wasn't scared of him. I'm not sure why I had that reaction to his stare.

I nodded, "yea, uh...you-you seem to be pretty...um...pretty powerful," I was searching for the right words. Out of everyone I've met here, he's the only one I've seen outwardly use powers.

"At least...you're the only one that uses them. Can anyone else do what you can do?" I asked him curiously. The book that was in front of him disappeared, making me gasp softly.

He shifted towards me like I had done earlier, that forever smile he likes to wear softening.

"Not anyone in this hotel...except maybe the princess," he said casually, and I tilted my head.

Princess?

"Princess? Who...?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

His eyes widened.

"Dear Lucifer, you didn't know Charlie was the princess of hell?" He asked me, amusement heavy on his tone. It was my turn to widen my eyes as my mouth fell open.

"She is?" I breathed out. The princess?!

He nodded, chuckling quietly, "you're not very bright, are you?" He asked me playfully and I snorted softly.

"Shut your mouth, I've been here for a week, cut me some slack," I giggled, and then my eyes widened after I realized I just told Alastor to shut up.

The man I've watched murder hundreds of demons like it was nothing.

But he didn't react to it...the only reaction I got was a slight glimmer in his eyes as his smile widened.

I blinked and cleared my throat, "anyway, back to you," I said, "what else can you do? Besides read books without holding them," I teased with a small smile.

He hummed, and glanced up in thought before he disappeared from my sight. I gasped again, and looked around for him.

"I can do that," he whispered next to my ear, and I jumped, spinning around. He was right behind me, and our noses touched. Heat flooded my face and I quickly pulled away, letting my hair cover me as I giggled nervously.

He disappeared again, and the weight shifted on the couch, making me spin around once more to face him.

My smile was wider now, and he seemed to be genuinely happy, as well, as he chuckled softly.

He leaned forward and held his palm out in front of himself and also me. With a quick flex of his fingers, fire erupted in his palm.

I watched it dance, and my mouth formed a soft o-shape. Slowly, I reached forward and he quickly shut his palm.

"Ah ah...dear, you'll burn yourself," he chastised gently and I scoffed.

Then I got hit with deja vu, my brows furrowing slightly.

Quickly I shook it off, and my smile tilted as I raised an eyebrow at him.

"I'm a demon, fire can't hurt me," I said, amused. He flashed his teeth at me in a charming smile, lowering his eyelids.

"My fire burns," he said simply.

I hummed at that, smiling at him. He smiled back, that wide smile slowly shifting into a softer one. We just sat and looked at one another briefly.

Again, I felt that familiarity.

After what seemed like forever, he blinked and shook his head, looking down.

"U-uh...I can also manipulate shadows...and, conjure," he explained before snapping his fingers. A bouquet of wildflowers appeared in his hand.

My eyes widened, and my smile softened.

He held them towards me, "for the lady," he said with a goofy smile, and I rolled my eyes, taking them.

I held them close to me.

"Thank you, Alastor sir, you're far too kind," I teased, and laughed softly. Then my smile faded to a soft grin and I looked down at the flower, brushing my fingers over the petals.

"It's funny, actually...I kept a bouquet just like this one on my nightstand next to my bed," I said quietly. My eyebrows furrowed again, and I looked back up into his eyes.

My smile returned but he was looking at me weird. It wasn't shock, but he looked surprised. He masked it quickly, though, and the look switched to intrigue.

"Really? What a coincidence," he chuckled, "Did uh...did someone give them to you, dear?" He asked, and I thought for a moment.

"Uh, I don't...hm..." I paused to think a bit harder.

Would you like to keep these...?

That voice floated through my head again, hazy and far away. I blinked a few times, and then nodded.

"Yea, actually, I think so," I said, and he tilted his head.

"The first time anyone ever gave me flowers..." I breathed out softly, suddenly being reminded of that small fact.

"Yes, it was..." he mumbled quietly, and I tilted my head curiously.

"What?"

He blinked, realizing what he said, "oh, nothing, dear, uh...do you have anymore questions?" He asked me, and I shrugged.

"Not at the moment," I shook my head with a small smile, and just then the door to the library busted open.

Alastor's soft smile snapped upwards and he masked every single emotion he'd been showing me. I was curious, momentarily, as to why he does that.

I didn't have much time to be curious, however, because a loud voice cut through my thoughts.

"Aria!"

I turned to face Angel.

"Yes?" I responded and he sauntered over, draping himself over the couch and laying his arms over my shoulders.

He's very good at invading people's space...me especially. However, I think he's chosen me to pester because I never push him away.

I used to have someone like him back home...someone I loved very dearly.

His behavior is familiar, and comforting.

Leaning back into his little hug, I smiled as he mindlessly toyed with the collar of my shirt.

"I need someone ta accompany me t' the shops...so come on," he said, giving me no options. I glanced at Alastor, shrugging slightly.

His eyelids lowered and he glanced at Angel.

Then he shrugged as well.

"I suppose I'll tag along, as well," he said, and my eyebrows raised. Angel scoffed, standing up. I stood as well, followed by Alastor.

"Smiley? Shoppin'? Hell must be fallin' t' pieces," Angel joked sarcastically, and I giggled.

We all made our way towards the door, Alastor grabbing it after Angel went through, holding it for me.

"Not yet," he said casually, but it sounded vaguely like a threat.

And with that, we set our sights on the inner city.