Alastors POV

Her cheeks puffed out slightly as she ate her breakfast.

Pancakes, I've learned, make this girl very happy. She also will only eat them if they have pure maple syrup. She did not like the sugary, thick syrup.

I had my hands wrapped around my mug, the warmth almost burning me but not quite. I was too distracted to notice it, anyway.

There were so many thoughts running through my mind. So many feelings nagging at my brain.

Guilt, worry, relief, regret...

Without realizing it, I had completely spaced out. I didn't see Ariel get up, I didn't hear her put her plate in the sink, and I certainly wasn't expecting her arms to suddenly drape over my shoulders.

I sucked in air through my nose quickly, her touch startling me.

"Woah...it's me, Al," she chuckled, causing the stiffness in my back to relax. The feeling of her nose brushing against my cheek made the thoughts storming through my head go quiet.

Her scent surrounded me, and I took a deep breath, closing my eyes.

"Whatcha thinking about," her voice was soft, the question sounding more like a demand. After my detrimental slip up, it's understandable.

"A bit of everything, my love..." I responded with a sigh, "I still feel like a complete...for lack of better term...dick. Not only that, I'm also worried about you, I don't want to let you out of my sight. Although, I understand I can't always be with you..." another heavy sigh heaved through my lungs and I put my hands over my face.

Dragging them down, they fell back onto the table.

I received a very quick kiss to the temple, and then to the cheek. She pushed her nose against my cheek and nuzzled against me, "Alastor, I've forgiven you, so you can go ahead and let that go...as for being worried about me, that's understandable. I'm worried about myself, to be completely honest, but we'll be alright. I think you've displayed enough carnage to keep us safe for a while."

I chuckled slightly at her reasoning. She then rounded my chair and planted herself into my lap.

"Here's to hoping, my darling," was my response. I leaned down and connected our lips, the taste of syrup still on her mouth. Her purr erupted in her chest, causing a gentle vibration. This caused my purr to flare up in response.

I let my tongue glide over her bottom lip, preparing to deepen the kiss. Just as she opened her mouth to allow me to, the buzzing sound of someone ringing the doorbell sounded.

She jumped slightly, and I shut my eyes. I took a simple deep breath, sliding her off my lap.

I stood up calmly, buttoning my shirt up properly before heading towards the elevator.

I will be answering the door this time.

I pressed the button to open the elevator door, turning around as I stepped inside. She was sitting in the chair I just got up from, her legs crossed beneath her.

She gave me a small smile and a thumbs up, and I returned her smile with one of my own. When the elevator doors shut, my smile fell into a tired frown.

Whoever is ringing my doorbell during breakfast must have a death wish. I'm still mulling over whether or not I'll even give them time to speak before I eat them.

The doors opened and I stepped out, fixing a smile back onto my face. I straightened my sleeves, buttoning the cuffs before grabbing the door handle and throwing it open.

I was confused when no one was there, and thought perhaps some children were testing fate and pulled a prank on me.

"H-hello..."

My eyes snapped down. Oh, there they are.

She may even be shorter than Ariel, my Lucifer. Her eyes were a striking silver, and her skin was a dull peach color. Her hair was stark white, the straight strands falling just past her hips.

I stepped back and bent down slightly.

"Hello, dear!" I greeted her in my usual manner, and she flinched. A timid little thing, I see.

I tilted my head, holding my hand out for her to shake. She shrunk away from my advance, but reached forward regardless. Her hand wasn't big enough to properly shake, so she grabbed as many of my fingers as she could and weakly squeezed.

"What brings you by?" If it's anything that isn't important, she will be my breakfast. She reminded me of a ghost almost, her pale skin and hair and her eyes...she was creepy, but it's not like I have any room to judge.

"I-I just got here not too long ago...I saw your help wanted sign, and...u-um, I was wondering if the job is still available?"

Oh. Right.

It was then I noticed how tattered her clothing was. Her face had scrapes on it, and her arms and legs were covered in bruises. I grabbed her arm and pulled her inside.

"You're hired!" I exclaimed, shutting the door behind her. With the wave of my hand the help wanted sigh disappeared.

"Now! Your job will be to sort my territories, schedule my meetings, and basically do everything that I don't want to do!"

She looked up at me with widened eyes, glancing once towards the door. She turned towards the empty front desk, then looked back to me.

"Is...is that all?" She asked timidly, and I nodded.

"Yes! My name is Alastor, by the way, and you are?" I bent forward slightly, giving her a sharp smile. She leaned away from me, her mouth forming a concerned frown.

"Alex..."

"It's a pleasure, darling, now..." I swept my hand towards her, cleaning her up and changing her clothes, "there you are, fit for work," I hummed, crossing my arms behind my back.

She looked down at her clothing and her arms and legs. For the first time a smile broke through her features.

"T-thanks..." she said quietly, and I only nodded.

"Now, sweetheart, let's get you started," I brought her around the desk, sitting her in the large leather chair.

Just then, the elevator dinged and both of us looked towards it.

Ariel stepped out, "Alastor, what's taking so lo—" she stopped talking when she saw the new girl. Her eyes lit up and she bounded over to us, leaning over the desk.

"Hi! Are you here for the job? My name is Ariel! Is Al being nice to you?" She narrowed her eyes on me and I lowered my eyelids.

Alex spoke up, "um...yes, he's being nice, a-and it's nice to meet you...I'm Alex," she said softly.

Ariel smiled big.

After I showed her how to do most of her jobs, she seemed to get the hang of it. The computer I got is relatively new, so she had no difficulties with it.

Most people think I'm not tech savvy. That is a lie, I know how to use it, I just choose not to. It would be dumb of me to be clueless towards technology.

"So, how long have you been in hell?" Ariel asked Alex. Alex glanced over at her, then back to her hands.

"Well, I um...o-only about...a few hours?" Both mine and Ariel's eyes widened.

A few hours?

"Oh, that's crazy," Ariel said absentmindedly, "well, how old are you?"

Ariel loves making small talk.

"17..." Alex answered.

Just a child...

Her and Ariel exchanged a few more words before I stood up and clapped my hands together. I was more than ready to go back upstairs and spend more time with my darling.

"Alright! Well, my dear, if you're accustomed to your responsibilities, Ariel and I will be heading back upstairs! The phone is connected to my personal landline, so you can pick it up and press the red button if you need me," I said with a big smile. Alex nodded, waving to Ariel who was heading towards me.

Once she took my arm, I headed back towards the elevator.

There's one thing I can check off my to do list.