*checks the timeline for this story*

*casually starts designing my next character*

Aria's POV

I was making preparations for our party. Christmas Eve is still a week away, but I want to make sure that I have everything that we need.

I still need to go out to the store and get a few things.

There was still a little bit of snow outside, and the air was slightly chilled. I wanted to go snuggle up with Alastor and tell him to do his body heat thing that he does, but I have shit to do.

Right now I'm deep cleaning the kitchen.

Just as I was about to go grab the mop, there was a knock on my door. I sighed and wiped my hands on the front of me to get any dust off.

"Alastor, someone is at the door, you know what to do," I called out and he didn't answer but I know he heard me.

Then I turned the doorknob and opened it with a smile, which then immediately fell at the sight that waited on the other side.

Eliot stood there, his face flushed and cheeks glossy from tears, I'm assuming. He sniffled and I could tell he'd been crying from the way his eyes looked.

"Oh, Eliot, what's wrong," I said worriedly and gently pulled him into the house out of the cold. He hiccuped softly and then sunk to his knees and pulled me into a hug.

My eyes widened at that and I wrapped my arms around him. His head laid on my chest...something he always used to do when he cried when he was little.

His body heaved with sobs and it broke my heart. Confusion built up inside me the longer we stayed like this, and Al rounded the corner, confused as well from the noise.

Then his eyes widened and he froze, just staring at the scene in front of him. He looked at me and mouthed 'what's wrong?' And I shrugged.

Then I looked down at Eliot and ran my fingers through his hair gently, "Eliot, honey, what's the matter?" I asked him softly and he snuggled further into my chest with a little whimper.

Then he finally spoke.

"M-my aunt...m-mom's sister..." he said through his sobs, and immediately I felt my heart sink.

His aunt...she's been terminally ill for years...he told me at thanksgiving she only had months left...oh no...

He loved her so much...

"Oh...Eliot..." I said softly, feeling tears of my own begin to build up. I looked up at Al and he was just staring at Eliot. The look in his eyes was unreadable.

"Aria...she beat it."

Every thought in my head froze.

What...?

"What?" I whispered and he pulled away from the hug and held me at arms length, a smile on his face and tears still streaming from his eyes.

"She beat it...five years of fighting and it just...went away..." he said with a little laugh, "like magic..."

I stared at him a moment, and then blinked. Then my gaze shifted behind Eliot where Alastor was still standing. The smile on his face was softer and he met my eyes for a second before he started walking closer.

Eliot buried his head into my chest again and I rubbed his back. Well, at least I know they're happy tears...

But I had my eyes trained on the only man I know who has the power to have done something like this.

"It's a miracle..." Eliot whimpered into my chest and I just held him, looking at Alastor who was still just silently observing us.

"Yea..." I said slowly, "it is a miracle, sweetie..."

'What did you do' I mouthed up at him and he shrugged, looking off to the side.

Bullshit.

Eliot finally stood up and then jumped when he saw Alastor. He wiped his eyes and chucked.

"Someone needs to put a bell on you, Max," he said through his little giggle. He sniffled again and Alastor just looked at him for a moment.

"...she's alright?" He asked softly, and Eliot looked at him for a moment.

"Y-yea...she went in for a scan and it's just...gone..." he said and Alastor nodded slightly, putting his hands into his pockets.

"That's wonderful," he said and Eliot smiled wider.

Then he threw himself onto Alastor and hugged him, too. Al looked shocked and glanced down at me. I shrugged and motioned for him to hug back, so he did.

It was awkward at first.

Then I watched his features soften slightly and he gave Eliot a real hug.

Once they pulled apart, Alastor ruffled Eliot's hair slightly and I chuckled at that. They're like the same height, but Al has to show dominance somehow.

I smiled for a moment, and then furrowed my brows.

I grabbed Alastor's arm and he looked down at me.

"I need to talk to you...alone," I said firmly and his look turned nervous. We left Eliot in the living room and I took Alastor into the kitchen.

As soon as we made it, I crossed my arms and looked at him. We made eye contact for about 15 seconds before he put his hands out.

"What?" He asked, and I leaned forward slightly.

"What? What? Alastor, what is why is Eliot in my living room right now, elated that his aunt is suddenly magically better?" I asked him, sounding more like an accusation. I was keeping my voice hushed, and he glanced off to the side.

"I—well—dear, why are you upset with me?" He asked, uncomfortably, "is it not a good thing I did?" He asked and I rolled my eyes.

"Yea, sure Alastor it's a good thing you did...except who's soul did you take in order to do it?" I hissed and narrowed my eyes. He blinked and then looked down.

He was quiet for a moment before he sighed.

"I didn't take anyone's soul...I used my own energy, not the power of a deal..." he said and my expression switched to one of shock.

"You...didn't...?" I stumbled slightly on my words, and he shook his head.

"No...a small child wanted to do the wish bone with me and used her wish to heal her mother so...I may have—" he waved his hand and I just stared at him for a moment. My arms were still crossed as I processed his words.

Then my face broke into a huge smile and I ran over to him and hugged him.

"Oh my god!" I said into his chest, "you did that just because?" I asked him, looking up at him.

He wrapped his arms around me and nodded, smiling down at me.

I buried my face back into his chest and laughed slightly.

"Al that's...that's..." I started to choke up and laughed again, squeezing him tighter.

"You gave them a miracle..." I whispered softly, and he ran his fingers through my hair.

"Whatever you wish to call it dear...it was just a little gift..." he mumbled and I pulled away and poked his stomach.

I smiled up at him and he used his thumb to brush away the tears that built up in my eyes.

Just then Eliot popped into the kitchen and we both looked over, still holding onto each other.

"Are you two done fucking? I'm hungry," he said and I rolled my eyes, letting go of Alastor.

"Eliot, don't make Max uncomfortable," I said and Alastor chuckled. Eliot rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

Then he got a sly smirk on his lips and walked up to Alastor.

"I mean if she's not gonna do it I will~"

Alastor put his hand over Eliot's face and pushed him back with a blank expression, then turned to me.

"No matter where I go...he's everywhere..." he said and I tilted my head.

"Wha—"

Just then Eliot popped back up and took my hand, smiling.

"Can we go to town? Pleaaase I haven't hung out with you guys in forever," he said and I chuckled.

"Yea, we can. A—Max, are you down?" I asked, nearly calling him the incorrect name. He shrugged and nodded.

To town we go.