Ariels POV

My eyes widened slightly and I stepped away from him.

When I finally met his eyes I nearly gasped. His pupils were so thin they were barely there, and his antlers had grown.

"A-Alastor what's—"

"I said SHUT UP!"

Immediately I flinched away from him, my ears flattening. I even felt my tail tuck down as I stared up at my very angry boyfriend.

That black tar started leaking from his mouth.

"First...you heal the bastard...as if that's not bad enough! Then...he shows up at our front door...and I come down here to find you fraternizing with him?!"

He swept his hand out in front of him, an exasperated growl leaving his throat.

"Alastor I—"

He snarled at me and my mouth clamped shut. His eyes sunk into his head, revealing two menacing red pupils.

"Why do you act like such a little saint? As if you're better than any of the scum down here, when you're down here with them!"

His words struck me through the heart. My lip quivered and tears stung my eyes. My back straightened and I stood my ground.

"You know damn well why I'm down here." I said through grit teeth, desperately trying to keep from falling apart. I've never done well with getting yelled at, but now is no time to cry.

He scoffed, his eyes returning to normal, "ah yes, because you love me, is that it?" He spat vehemently. My eyes widened.

My mouth fell open and I stared up at him in utter disbelief from what he just had the audacity to say to me. However, he wasn't quite done digging his grave yet.

"You're just some idiotic woman who fell for a demon. In the end you're just weak, frail and utterly useless. Perhaps next time you get taken they'll just kill you and I'll be rid of this new burden you've drug into my afterlife!"

I felt like the air got knocked out of my lungs. I couldn't move. All I could do was stare up at him with that same expression of disbelief.

He brushed past me swiftly, heading back towards the elevator.

"Stupid woman..." he grumbled under his breath, waving his hand and causing the elevator doors to snap open before he stepped in and made them to snap shut.

I was left alone in the lobby, my body frozen in place. My arms relaxed at my sides and slowly I let my head hang. My lip quivered and I bit it to try and stop the wave of tears.

It didn't work.

They fell down my face in heavy droplets, falling from my cheeks pitifully.

Weak.

Useless.

Stupid.

Is that what I am to you...?

I suddenly felt too weak to stand, sinking to my knees. My shoulders fell forward and I cried quietly.

I felt something warm wrap around me and looked up to see Alastor's shadow. He was wearing a soft frown, his normally electric blue eyes a much dimmer blue.

I sniffed, "if he sent you, go away!" I cried, trying to push him off of me. He didn't budge, and instead snuggled up to me more. He cooed softly, shaking his head.

"He didn't send you?"

He shook his head, but for some reason that hurt worse. He really just doesn't care.

I hugged the shadow, crying heavily. He made a noise that sounded similar to a sigh, running his fingers through my hair.

Alastor's POV

After the elevator doors shut I was still grumbling to myself. It was then I realized the awful things I was saying under my breath.

The horrible things I'd just said to her face.

The elevator ascended quietly, and my ears started ringing from the silence. Slowly my smile faded, a cold feeling washing through my chest.

The new, yet familiar feeling I'd began feeling as of late.

Fear.

The soft ding from the elevator as I reached the penthouse caused me to flinch. Slowly, I stepped out.

Alone.

Looking around, I had to force myself to swallow. My mouth felt dry. I wanted to go back down there. I wanted to go grab her and kiss her all over her face and tell her I didn't mean it, any of it.

But something was stopping me.

I don't know if it was the terror I was currently feeling, or the fact that I couldn't physically force my legs to move.

Eventually I gained the strength to walk to the bathroom. I looked into the mirror at my reflection.

The remnants of the tar that had leaked from my mouth from my fit was left on my face. The black smudged my skin and made me feel sick. Quickly I washed it off, my head hanging after I'd gotten it all.

Four words kept running through my head.

She won't forgive you.

The longer I stood there, the more disgusted with myself I felt. All the sorrow, pressure, anger and worry that had built up in me created a ticking time bomb.

Seeing her talking to Vox lit the fuse.

And unfortunately she was the only one standing close to me when it blew up...

No amount of words could excuse what I'd just done. The things I just said to her...oh my god.

I'd probably been standing in front of this mirror now for 20 solid minutes. Silence. She never came up.

I decided to check on her.

I waved my hand, creating a keyhole to see downstairs, and there she was.

Curled up on the floor with my shadow.

The way her shoulders were moving told me she was crying, and very heavily. My shadow looked directly at the keyhole, and his eyes turned a deep red.

I sighed, "I know, my friend, that's how I feel towards myself at the moment as well..." I mumbled, closing the portal.

How am I going to amend this...and more importantly, how am I going to do something about my temper.

I cannot keep losing it around her, the only person I truly give a shit about. I don't know how I'm going to apologize for this...dinner? A gift? What can I do...

I finally left the bathroom and walked out onto the balcony. I leaned on the railing and stared down at the city below.

Bustling, demons romping the streets. Of course...

I flexed my fingers and summoned a cigarette, the small stick feeling familiar between my fingers. I used my thumb to light it and placed it between my lips.

After a long drag I removed it, holding the smoke for a moment before blowing it out through my nose in a sigh.

I flicked the cigarette off the balcony and turned to go back inside, deciding I needed a softer opinion on the matter.

Someone who is familiar with tenderness towards others.

I walked to my landline and dialed Charlie's number.

She answered on the second ring, a very enthusiastic "hello" sounding from her end. I tried to mask my voice and mimic her tone, but failed miserably.

"Hello..." I answered back pitifully. Charlie's end deflated, I could feel her attitude shift.

"Alastor? What's wrong?" Her voice was laced with worry, and I would find it amusing given any other circumstance.

With a sigh I answered her, "I...made a mistake...and said some things I should not have said...I don't know what to do..." my voice became quieter and quieter, my ears flattening as I spoke.

Verbally acknowledging what I've done has solidified my transgression.

The other end of the phone started sounding a busy signal, and I sighed, realizing she hung up on me. Not even the princess can help...

I put the phone down and turned around, but jumped back when I was met with Charlie's wide eyes.

"Charlotte!" I squeaked, my voice sounding embarrassingly high. Immediately I sighed and lowered my eyelids.

"Darling, don't scare me..." I grumbled.

She ignored me, and instead pointed to the couch, going over and sitting down. I followed and sat as well. She turned towards me, a gentle look in her eyes.

"Tell me what was said...and I'll help you figure it out..." she smiled and some of my nerves actually seemed to lessen. I took a deep breath.

"I said awful things Charlie...so awful..." I shook my head, "I told her she was stupid...useless...weak..." Charlie's eyes widened, I could hardly look at her...but that's when my own eyes shot open.

I felt my breath catch in my throat, tears stinging my eyes at the realization of probably the most damning thing I said to the poor woman that I love.

Charlie noticed this and tilted her head, "Al?"

I blinked and could barely muster the courage to say it out loud, but it came out. Just barely above a whisper.

"I told her I wished she would have died..."