The next few days at Alastor's house were weird. He gave me a room, and gave me rules.
Rule number 1: do not go downstairs

I do not want to know what's downstairs.

Rule number 2: don't go anywhere I (Alastor) cannot see you.

A little possessive but alright, I don't really have the power to argue.

Rule number 3: stay out of my (Alastor's) room.

Hmmm, yet here I am. Intrigued, standing in front of his closed door. Maybe a little peek?
Yea just a little one.

I put my hand on the doorknob. Suddenly Alastor's shadow appeared next to me and I jumped. He frantically shook his head 'no' and made x motions with his arms. I giggled at him because he just looked silly freaking out.

He gave me a stern look then, crossing his arms like 'I will get my dad.' I sighed and turned to leave. When Alastor's shadow stopped paying attention I darted back to the door and opened it quickly, almost falling in. Me and the shadow both stood there frozen, him about to drag me out and me staring wide eyed at the man before me.

"Alastor..." his glowing red eyes were glowering. "What are you doing here?"

"This is my room."

"But you were on business?"

"I think you're trying to distract me, darling." He almost growled.

I backed away, getting flashbacks to a few days ago, tears welling up in my eyes.

Not again.

It felt like my throat was closing and all I could see was Alastor giving me that menacing stare as he choked me.

"A-Al please..." I didn't even realize I was cowering with my arms over my head for protection.

ALASTOR POV

I watched her back away from me. I hadn't even moved yet, I was only speaking to her. The fear in her eyes was loud and clear as she backed away into the wall, sliding down it slowly. I could see her trembling and I felt my expression change from irritated to concerned.

"A-Al please..." she whimpered and I felt my chest become tight. All it took was a glare, and she's cowering away from me? Hearing her say my name with such fear and sadness angered me. Not at her, but myself for even doing that to her.

Learn to control yourself, dipshit.

I sighed, standing up and going to her. The only reason I even gave her this silly rule is because if she happened to come in my room while I was changing or sleeping that would be quite embarrassing.

I kneeled down next to her, putting my hand on her head and searching through her thoughts. Maybe if I could see the root cause of the fear, I can help it.

My eyes widened when all I saw was...me.

My face was contorted into a horrifying expression as I saw myself through her eyes. I could feel how hard I had choked her and winced. Her eyes were big and pleading as she looked into mine. I gave her no comfort in my expression, only a cold, angry stare.

Why did I do that to you...

I sighed and took my hand away, slowly bringing her arms down away from her tear stained cheeks. Her eyes looked clouded as sheer fear replaced her sad face at the sight of me.

"A-Alastor why..." there were those words again. I growled and grabbed her by the forearms standing her up. Her sobs shook her body and the tight feeling in my chest returned.

"Hush, hush...shhhh. Look, see, I'm not mad, I'm not going to hurt you." I gave her my best happy smile but it did nothing to calm her nerves. My ears lay flat as I looked around nervously. My shadow shook his head before disappearing.

Bastard.

Before I could even think about what I was doing, my arms were wrapped around her, pulling her into a gentle embrace.

What in the nine circles am I doing?!

I was about to give up when suddenly, her sobs fell into little hiccups and she reluctantly lifted her arms. I felt them wrap around my torso, gently grasping my coat. My cheeks heated up.

That worked?

My smile was strained as I fought the urge to push her away. After a moment however, the warmth felt kind of...nice.

Emagines POV

what is he doing. Why is he hugging me? I slowly lifted my arms, taking parts of his coat in my fists and hugging him back.

"You...smell nice..." I whispered, almost hoping he couldn't hear me. He could though, I know he could. He stiffened before relaxing again, and pulling away gently. His big smile was softer as he held me at arms length.

"Darling. Please don't be scared. I know this doesn't make up for it, but please know I am sorry for what I did to you," his eyes glanced to the yellow, purple, blue bruise on my neck, "and I will never hurt you again." The seriousness of his tone shocked me.

His thumb gently brushed over my eye that was still healing and it tickled. I giggled softly and swatted his hand.

After that, I apologized for breaking his rule which he just waved away. He said that rule was revoked and I could come into his room as long as I knocked and heard him say "come in". I only nodded as we walked through the forest.

We took daily walks since I was basically a prisoner but I didn't really think of it like that. I know if I tried to leave and tell Charlie Alastor would probably kill me but I didn't really have any desire to. I kinda enjoyed his company, if I'm being honest. He was really fun to be around sometimes.

My hand was resting loosely on his arm as we walked, his coat wrapped up in my fist so I wouldn't get lost.

It took days to get the courage to even dare to touch him, but he didn't seem to mind this. Still, I found myself glancing at his hand involuntarily, and then my cheeks heating up at the absolutely ridiculous idea of holding hands. What I didn't notice was Alastor noticing me looking at his hands that were relaxed to his sides as he walked.

Suddenly, he huffed slightly before turning over his palm and opening his hand invitingly. I let go of his coat and held my hands up hesitantly, looking to him for the 'ok'. He looked into my eyes and simply nodded, smiling and humming an old tune.

I happily took his hand, feeling much safer than before. His hand engulfed mine, him being almost 2 whole feet taller than me. My fingers barely even wrapped around his. His smooth gloves made me smile as he pretended to be completely unfazed with this. I just giggled.

He eventually loosened up and held my hand normally instead of rigid and tense. His hand rested over mine, and he seemed to do a lot more holding than he did at the start. He stopped walking, causing me to glance up at him curiously. He took out a handkerchief, and wrapped it over his hand before picking a flower. He then handed me the blood red rose with a smile.

My cheeks lit up and my lips spread into a genuinely flattered smile. No one had ever done something so nice as to give me a flower before. I felt silly for the absolute joy I felt in my chest over this. He seemed pleased with my reaction and went to keep walking.

I was curious about something though. "Alastor?" He stopped again, implying he was listening, "why did you wrap your hand up? Before picking the flower I mean."
He looked at me with a soft smile before picking another one, this time without the handkerchief, and the flower almost immediately wilted between his fingers.

"They don't like me much." He stated bitterly with a sigh, throwing the rose to the side. I was shocked. I felt a little mad at the roses actually, silly as it is.

I bent down to pick up the wilted rose and focused my energy on it. It slowly perked back up and I noticed Alastor's ears perked up as well. I whispered a little spell and blew on it, pink smoke exiting my mouth as I did so. The rose turned a pale white, and I handed it to Alastor.

"Here, Alastor. Everyone deserves to be able to hold a flower." He took it hesitantly, and his eyes widened when it didn't wilt away. He looked at me and the smile on his face was almost boyish. I don't use my vitality spell often, but it's moments like these I'm glad I have it.