Here are some old sketches of Aria while I work on something.

Alastor's POV

Aria has been staying extra close to me recently. The dream she had a few nights ago really shook her up.

Whenever she looks at me, there's a sadness behind her eyes. I wish I knew what was bothering her...

Whenever I bring the topic up, she immediately averts eye contact and changes the subject.

Slowly I stopped scrubbing the dish in my hand and sighed. Placing it in the sink, I snapped my fingers and the kitchen was spotless.

I try not to use my powers too often in the house, but I really need to talk to her.

Quickly I teleported up to our room, and she was sitting in the nook with her head laid against the wall and her feet curled under her.

She was focused on whatever was outside, and I approached her quietly.

Her soft breathing and gentle heartbeat were what I was focusing on. Her emotions were too jumbled for me to pick anything out for certain.

She's confused...

I slipped into the nook across from her, and looked out the window. The snow had melted completely, and all that was left was the dead grass and leafless trees.

"What is on your mind, my peu d'amour?" I asked her softly, keeping my gaze trained out the window for just a moment longer.

She sighed quietly, and I looked over at her.

Her eyes were cast down, and she fiddled with her fingers. The expression on her face was thoughtful, and then her eyebrows furrowed.

"I just..." she started and then stopped, closing her eyes.

She took a deep breath, then continued, "I just wish I could have been there..." she said, barely above a whisper.

Is she talking about my death...? Why would she want that? I'm right here, so what would be the use?

"Honey, Im right in front of you...you don't—"

"You're not understanding..." she cut me off, her brows furrowing. Immediately I shut my mouth, and realized I need to just let her speak.

"It's not just that," she continued, her voice still sounding tiny, "I just wish I could've been there for it all. I wish I could've known you...before you died."

I let my expression soften and just stayed quiet, silently asking her to continue.

Her gaze shifted back out the window, "you looked out this window, too...you used the kitchen downstairs, hell, you put a hole in the attic wall..."

My eyes widened. When did she see that...?

"And I wasn't there for you during any of it..." she said, barely audible.

She let off another small sigh, "most of all, I wish I could've been there because we would have had more time..." she said, and he voice quivered slightly.

"We would have had time to know one another, and I could've been with you when you-" she quickly bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes.

She closed them, causing the tears to fall as she composed herself.

"I could've gone with you..." she whispered.

My eyes widened just slightly, and I looked at her for a moment. Gone with me...?

"Aria..." I started, and she looked over at me, "sweetheart, I wish you would stop wanting to be where I am...look at me," I said and motioned to myself.

I lifted my shirt, "look at these...these scars. The scars of a sinner. You would be a demon, peu d'amour, trapped in hell forever," I said, shaking my head.

She just blinked and then looked away from my scars and into my eyes.

"I don't care," she said softly, "it doesn't matter what I look like...with you I feel safe..."

I felt frustrated, then. Not with her...but slightly with myself for making her think these things. She doesn't belong in hell...I would love to have her down there with me...but the thought of anything managing to hurt her...

Quickly I stood up off the nook, grabbing her by the waist and placing her in front of me. She blinked at the sudden change, and looked up at me.

"What're you do—"

I held my finger to her lips, and she went cross eyed looking at it before she looked back to me and lowered her eyelids.

I removed my hand and looked down at her. If she won't listen...then I'll just have to frighten her.

I'll frighten her away from wanting to come to hell.

"Hell is a terrifying place, Aria," I started lowly, and my bones clicked and cracked as I transformed into my full demonic form.

I felt my claws lengthen and tasted the bitter tar as it started leaking from my mouth.

My height increased and I watched her eyes widen and her lips part as she raised her head to look at me.

I was looming over her, growling deeply down at her. I was trying to keep my expression menacing, but the look on her face was making it hard.

"Are you scared yet?" I growled down at her, and then dipped down lower. I was inches from her wide eyed little face and she flinched away slightly.

"In hell this is who I am, is this what you want?" I seethed.

There was a moment of us just looking at one another. The low growl in my chest never subsided and I looked at her as if she were my next victim.

Those pretty brown eyes were rounded and her hands curled up at her chest as she absentmindedly protected her soft spots. I could hear her heart pounding in her chest.

My smile widened as I thought I'd succeeded, but then her heartbeat began to calm. I glanced at her chest and then back to her eyes.

They were less afraid, and more curious. She took a small step towards me and we were very close now, her face only inches from mine.

I watched in dismay as all fear left her eyes, and she pushed her nose up against mine, rubbing back and forth gently. Then she wrapped her arms around my neck and I slowly lowered to my knees, keeping my arms at my sides.

"Honey, you're supposed to be scared..." I said, defeated. She chuckled at that and pulled away, taking my face in her hands and looking at me with a soft smile.

"It doesn't matter what you look like either..." she said, and her smile faded as her eyebrows turned up tenderly, "I just want to be with you..."

I put one of my hands over hers, and then slowly let my body change back to its normal state. She smiled again and used her thumb to wipe by my lip, wiping away the black tar.

"I don't know what this stuff is..." she mumbled, and made a face as she wiped it off of her and onto my shirt. I lowered my eyelids at that and took her face between my fingers, squishing her cheeks.

"You are a menace." I said plainly and she giggled. Then I released her and sighed, letting my hand drop to my lap. I was still on my knees, and her and I were about eye level.

Silently I raised my hand, holding my palm out towards her. Immediately she raised hers and put her palm against mine. Her entire hand fit inside of mine, and her fingers stopped at where my middle knuckle started.

I smiled softly and gently enveloped her hand in mine and held her.

I furrowed my brows as I thought about what the paranormal book said. If I truly am draining her body of its life the way the book says I am, perhaps I may not need to worry at all.

If this is what she wants...I suppose I have the full capability to keep her safe as long as she stays with me...

"Is being with me in hell truly what you desire, peu d'amour...?" I asked her, looking into her eyes. My tone was serious and she nodded, taking a step closer to me and placing her forehead against mine.

"It is...I'm not wasting what we have..." she whispered and I hummed. I brought my hand up to her hair and brushed through it with my claws.

"Then I will make you an offer..." I said and she scoffed.

"You're going to make a deal with me?" She said sarcastically and I rolled my eyes.

"No, listen...I am offering." I said again, looking directly into her eyes. I may not have to leave her to save her at all...she's choosing me.

And if I'm already killing her anyway...

"Offering what?" She asked slowly and I squeezed her hand gently.

"To kill you, sweetheart."