The picture is of Hope's angelic form.

Now Alastor's dad joke of the day.

Al: A ham sandwich walks into a bar and orders a beer. The bartender says, "Sorry, we don't serve food here."

***Hope's POV***

I don't know how long I was out for when Alastor woke me up. When Alastor woke me the scent of his homemade jambalaya filled my senses. It smells so good. But then I haven't had anything substantial since I got drugged.

I slowly sit up and Alastor gives me the bowl of food. I was a little hesitant to eat because I usually throw up anything that isn't water. Sensing my hesitance Alastor assures me he healed everything, and I should be able to eat normal food again.

Trusting Alastor, I begin to eat, and it tastes so good. I try not to eat too fast cause I don't want to make myself sick after Alastor spent time and energy healing me. In between bites a part of me is waiting for the nausea to hit. But it never does.

While eating I was thinking about tell Alastor how I feel about him. I want to, but what he doesn't feel the same way? What if he just laughs at me?

But then what if he does feel the same? What if I never say anything and he finds someone else? Would I be fine with that?

I decide to just tell him. If I don't, I know I will regret it.

Even if he doesn't feel the same, I have to know. Even if he laughs at me, at least the curiosity won't be eating me alive.

"Hey Alastor. Would it be alright if I told you something?" I ask after I finish my food.

I looked at him for a moment after I asked that and he kinda looks like he also has something to say.

"Of course, darling. What is it?"

I look down at my hands as I try to find the right words. My ears lay against my head. How did this become 10 times as difficult all of a sudden? I feel my cheek heat up as I struggle to find the right words.

"Well...you see...I um..."

Come on, Hope. Just say it.

"I...um like you...and more then just as a friend. I...believe I am...falling in love with you." I say as my cheek grow even hotter if that is possible.

Oh God. I actually said it.

Welp. No going back now.

It was almost a minute before he responded. He doesn't feel the same way, does he? I just made a fool of myself, didn't I?

"Darling. Will you please look at me?"

He brings one of his hands to my cheek and gently lifts my head. I don't know what emotion I expected to be on his face, but what I saw was not what I expected to see. I didn't expect to see love and compassion in his eyes. He actually looks thrilled and genuinely happy about what I had said.

"No need to be embarrassed darling. I feel the same way about you." He says drawing closer to me.

"Really?"

My ears perk up as I ask that. I feel my tail move from side to side in excitement. The look on his face doesn't change as I ask. He does bring his closer to mine. Our faces are near touching as he response.

"Yes darling. I really do."

Immediately after that I close the very small distance and kiss him. Both of our eyes closed as he kissed back. The kiss was short and sweet, but enjoyable. Once we pulled away Alastor had me lay down.

"You need more rest darling. While I did heal everything you still need to rest up to get your strength back."

"But my job-"

"Can wait until you're 100% better. Don't worry about that darling. I'll take care of it. For now, sleep and rest up."

After saying that it seemed like Alastor was about to leave.

"Wait. Can you stay with me? Just until I fall asleep?"

He seemed a bit surprised at my request. But he smiled and sat back down in the chair next to my bed.

"Yes darling. I will stay with you until you fall asleep."

I lay there smiling as I close my eyes. Not long after I closed my eyes Al begins humming. It's a nice soft tune. One that I don't recognize but is still very soothing. I am asleep in no time.

*******

It has been two weeks since Al and I got together, and it seems to be going well so far. Even though no one else knows. Why does no one else know that Al and I are together? Well...

**Flashback**

It had been a day or two after Alastor healed me and I was finally able to go back to work. Of course, Al is the first one to show but after me. He arrives a while before everyone else that morning. He usually is to talk with me.

"Darling, we need to keep our relationship secret alright?"

"Why? You're not embarrassed of me, are you?"

I am so confused why our relationship should be secret.

"No. No. That's not why sweetie. It's we are in Hell dear. I'm a powerful overlord down here. If others found out about my relationship with you, you would become a target my dear. One that others would use to get to me. I don't want to put your afterlife in danger my dear."

Oh. That makes a lot of sense.

"Oh, I see."

He does have a point. While I want to believe demon can be better, I can't really deny that some might go after me to get to Alastor. I don't like it, but that is the reality of the situation.

He tells me we won't be keeping it secret forever. Just until my powers develop some more. Or he can make some items that will protect me.

He then explains why he doesn't want Angel Dust specifically to find out yet. Apparently, Angel has a contract with Valentino. Valentino is an overlord that definably use anyone to get what he wants. One of the things he wants is Alastor's territory. He also is a very powerful demon in the porn industry.

"I hate to think of what he would do to you if he got his hands on you my dear."

I shudder at the thought of what he would do.

Al explains that since Angel works for Valentino, he would most likely be more loyal to him then Alastor. Again, I see his point.

Seeing how the conversation was making Al uncomfortable I agree to keep us a secret. He is relieved upon hearing that.

There is still a little tension in the air, so I decide to defuse it with a joke.

"Hey Al. How do you make holy water?"

He seems very confused at why I want to know how to make holy water.

"Uh...I don't know dear."

"You boil the Hell out of it."

I finish the joke before he could ask why. It takes a few seconds to process my response, but once he does, he chuckles at the joke. And just like that our morning goes back to normal.

**Flashback end**

As sad as it is that we have to hide our relationship it is for the best.

Right now, though I am headed to Al's office to see what he wants for lunch since it's getting close to that time. Once I reach an elegant looking door with Al's name on it, I knock.

I don't wait for a response before opening the door ad walking in.

He's not here.

I look around the office. It's quite nice. Lots bookshelves with books. A 1920's radio on his desk.

I look at the books for a minute, before I decide to check out his desk. It's a dark wood desk. Looks very strong and big. I look at the space underneath and there is a lot of space there. Makes sense. Al has long legs and needs lots of room for them.

I got an idea. There is enough space under the desk for me to ft under there. Maybe I could hide there and scare him. Scaring Al might not be the best idea, but it could be funny to see.

The sound of footsteps coming down the hall draw my attention. The footsteps sound like Al's shoes. Now or never, I guess.

I slip under his desk and wait. After a few more seconds the door opens, and I hear walk to his chair and sit. He slides into the space under his desk a bit. Not enough to feel me though. Quickly I reach out and grab his ankles.

Immediately he jumps. Almost hitting his knees off the top of the desk in the process. He moves back and with pointed teeth and radio dial eyes he growls at me. Once he realizes it's me, he looks more annoyed than anything. He no longer has radio dial eye either.

"Darling. What are you doing?"

Before I could respond his ears swivel toward the door. He suddenly slides back into the space and I am forced back a bit.

Suddenly there is a knock on Al's door. Once Al says come in someone enters the room. It's Charlie and she has come to talk to Al about things that have to do with the hotel.

Welp. Now I'm stuck here.