Nobody:
Me: what if Charlie died in the finale, wouldn't that be so silly and goofy of me to draw that

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I post art and ANIMATIONS over there! I just finished one too, you should totally go check it out 👀👀

Okay byeeee, enjoy the chapter luvs👁️👅👁️

Alastor

It didn't take long for Juliette's mother to call into the living room for us, saying dinner is served.

I could already tell it was going to be a wonderful meal by the smell alone. It smelled like my entire childhood wrapped up in a box with a pretty bow on top.

The table was already set nicely and food put out on the table. I took my place next to Juliette at the table.

Her father was already seated at the head of the table and her mother sat across from me next to him.

No words were said as they all joined hands, and I quickly lifted my hands as well and joined with Juliette and her father, who started a prayer.

"Thank you, good Lord, for blessing us with this food on our table, and allowing us to see the beauty of another day graciously gifted to us by your hands. And, thank you, for this young man for bringing joy back into our daughter's life and raising her spirits once more. We are grateful from the bottom of ours hearts. Amen."

I almost didn't say amen, mumbling the word mindlessly as I processed what was just said.

In that moment, it was like my eyes had been opened up and I was seeing the world with a fresh view.

Did I really have that big of an impact on this family? Someone as horrid and violent as myself?

It's almost laughable.

Juliette squeezed my hand and I looked over at her. When our eyes met, my furrowed brow softened into a gentler expression.

She was looking at me like I was the only soul in the room. Her smile was glowing through her entire face and I quietly surrendered to the moment.

It's hard to believe I've found myself in this situation. I got so caught up in the enjoyment of her entertaining company that I didn't even realize it was developing into something more than that over the months.

I've never been one for sentiment, or... love. Growing up, I was presented with a twisted version of that concept.

My mother loved me. I knew what that love felt like.

But a partner's love? The love of someone who you just happened to meet one day by sheer chance?

I was never given a proper example of that.

I could observe from the outside. Couples out and about expressing mild fondness for one another.

However, within the walls of my own home, I got a more intimate view. The hidden ugliness that can exist within, and behind a happy face.

A smile can hide so much.

But the smile on her face right now doesn't seem to be hiding anything... and neither is the smile on mine.

Perhaps thats okay...

~*~

After dinner, Juliette and her mother remained in the kitchen to clean up the dishes while her father invited me into the living room.

We sat across from each other and he turned on a radio, low volume, as background noise.

Wordlessly he grabbed a pipe and filled it with loose tobacco, offering me one as well.

I refused, but thanked him politely for the offer.

Once he'd lit his pipe and taken a few drags, he sighed, letting the smoke spill out through his nostrils.

Then he finally leaned forward, looking me in the eyes. His were grey, like storm clouds, and I made sure to present the best possible image of myself.

"You've been courting my daughter for quite some time now, son."

Have I?

"And if the way she talks about you speaks any truth about the kind of man you are, then I trust you'll take care of her."

What is happening.

"Now, I want you to share your intentions with me. What are your plans with my daughter?"

I was stricken by surprise and glanced off the side, wondering how I'd ended up here.

Courting? Intentions?

Looking back, all the way to the day we met, I recalled every moment I'd spent with her.

From learning her name, to staring into her eyes after I'd just slit a man's throat in front of her.

She occupied my thoughts during the day, and at night when I slept.

I brought her gifts at work, most recently being today when I brought her flowers...

I accompanied her on outings...

In that moment I'd never felt more stupid in my entire life. I was courting her.

The thought had barely ever crossed my mind, if at all. I just enjoyed being around her, and ignored the feelings I felt when she was near.

Now I'm sitting in her living room and her father is asking me what my intentions are with her while I stare at him like a fool.

Finally, I regained my composure after what I hoped wasn't an awkward amount of silence, and formed as honest of a response as I could give.

"Well, sir...I just think your daughter is a wonderful woman, and spending time with her gives me a break from the stresses of life. She has a beautiful smile and a shining personality."

Pausing briefly, I wondered if I truly wanted to explore this side of myself. Was I capable of being a good partner?

I wasn't sure.

However, the thought of me letting this opportunity slip through my fingers and Juliette getting swept up by another man didn't sit right with me.

"Any man would be lucky to be in her company...and I'm honored that she allows me the pleasure of her company."

After finishing my thoughts, her father stared at me very intensely for a moment longer before he sat back slightly.

"Very well, then... you have my blessing to continue seeing my daughter. See to it that she remains happy, she doesn't deserve to go through anymore heartache."

Just after he finished speaking, Juliette's mother walked into the room and smiled at me. Juliette wasn't with her, so I'm assuming she was still doing the dishes.

"Don't be too hard on him, Benjamin."

Her playful quip was accompanied by a gentle swat to the top of Benjamin's head.

He looked over at her, and the way his entire demeanor softened as he looked at her made me feel nostalgic for something I've never had.

Watching them together was such a drastic contrast to what I originally thought love looked like.

My mind wondered to Juliette... picturing us together, old and happy. Do I even deserve such a life?

He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, giving her a smile as she giggled. Then she started to cough, and his expression shifted to worry, the smile falling into a concerned frown as his wife leaned against the chair to keep herself steady.

"Go sit down, Marie... you need to rest..."

"Oh, I'm fine..."

She waved him off and came over to me, smiling as she held her hand out to me. I took it, and she sat down next to me before putting her other hand over mine as well.

"You're a good boy...I can tell. I'm very happy that you found our daughter. She needed you..."

Marie reached up and touched my face gently, and for the first time I noticed how tired she looked.

She had masked it so well, but now it's clear even through her smile.

Her fingers had a slight chill to them, and it was extremely faint, but I could see just the slightest tint of red on her lips that hadn't been there during dinner.

I didn't know how to respond, but it seems I didn't really need to.

She gently opened my hand and pressed something into my palm before closing my hand and giving it a little squeeze.

"For when the time comes..."

After she said that, Juliette came into the room and walked over to us.

"Oh goodness, I hope my parents haven't scared the daylights out of you..."

She gave a soft pout, and I chuckled, discretely slipping whatever Marie had handed me into my pocket.

"Oh, no darling, they're lovely. I'd expect nothing less of the people that raised you."

She blushed and smiled, and I stood up.

"I suppose I should head home, though. Thank you, Marie, for dinner."

Marie gave a small nod and Juliette walked me to the door.

"Goodbye Alastor, be safe getting home!"

We stepped out onto the porch, and before I could respond to her, she grabbed me by the front of my suit and pulled me down, planting a kiss on my cheek.

Then the cheeky little minx trotted her way back inside and waved to me, shutting the door.

My eye twitched and I touched where she'd just kissed me, my face feeling slightly hot.

Then I turned and started on my journey home, and as I did I reached into my pocket and pulled out what Marie had given me.

In my hand was a beautiful diamond ring with a silver band that was encrusted with rubies.

For when the time comes...