Ch 24

Al's monster lines...

First part is up top!

***

Ok y'all, I stumbled across something interesting. I regularly look up voodoo symbols for when I draw Alastor and...other reasons...but while I was researching I stumbled across a rune galled "gebo".

Now idk if I'm just late to the party or what, but this rune is an "X" y'know...like the one on Al's forehead.

And it is a symbol of partnership, a balance between giving and receiving that provides whomever with inspiration and the ability to communicate with the gods.

However! If the rune is abused and or used incorrectly it leads to greed, isolation, loneliness and an overbearing obligation. If abused, it brings destruction.

I could be reaching, but all that sounds awfully fucking familiar😂 anyway, I hope you enjoyed your rune lesson. If you're interested in it, just look up the word "gebo" and it'll come up!

Proceed!

Fawn's POV

My steps echoed as I walked through the darkness.

It felt like I was walking, but I wasn't going anywhere.

I can't see anything. It's pitch black, and cold.

Hugging myself, I shivered and called out the only name that came to mind.

"Alastor?" I called.

Silence.

"W-where are you?" I called again, continuing my path. It stayed silent and I was getting more confused and more unsettled.

"Where am I..." I muttered, and suddenly a spotlight came to life in the distance. My heart leapt with joy and I jogged closer to it.

The closer I came, I noticed there was someone standing there. Squinting, I realized it's Alastor.

"Alastor!" I called with a smile, waving. He stayed silent and still. My brows furrowed, and finally I got close enough to see him properly.

"What's going on, where are we?" I asked him, catching my breath as I looked around.

Once again, he ignored me. His eyes were locked onto me, a wide smile plastered on his face. I scoffed and rolled my eyes.

"Alastor answer m–"

"Pull the trigger."

My eyes widened when he finally spoke, and I narrowed them in confusion.

"What?" I questioned. Then, I realized I seem to be holding something out towards him. When my eyes trained onto the object, they rounded at the sight of a pistol in my grip.

I was aiming it directly at his head.

Looking back to him, I shook my head.

"N-no, I- I don't want to do that..." I said, my throat suddenly feeling like it was closing. I tried to lower my arm, but I couldn't.

It's like I'm frozen.

His smile widened, and the image in front of me flickered. I swear it looked like someone else for a second...

"Pull the trigger." He repeated, and the image was flickering rapidly now. His voice sounded like it was mixed with someone else's.

My lip trembled, my hand shaking.

"Don't make me do it, please..." I whimpered, my vision beginning to blur as tears welled in my eyes, "please..."

He tilted his head, and finally the image stopped flickering, but it was no longer Alastor.

It was the kid.

"Pull it, kitten." He purred, and I blinked, gasping softly before I squeezed the trigger and the gun went off.

My ears rang slightly, my wrist aching from the kickback as I watched the kid slowly fall backwards.

I winced when his body hit the floor, and choked on a sob, dropping the gun.

My hands were trembling horribly, and I pulled them down to look at them as they shook.

"You're just like me, now~" came a sweet whisper in my ear. My back straightened and I sucked on my bottom lip, watching as Alastor rounded me and stood above the spot-lit corpse.

He hummed, and then looked at me with narrowed eyes and a wide smile.

"A murderer." He said vehemently before beginning to laugh. I shook my head.

"N-no, no, no I had to, I had to..." I whimpered, but he just laughed and clapped his hands together.

His eyes slowly turned red and he faced me fully, stepping back into the darkness as he tilted his head.

Now all I can see is two brightly glowing red eyes...

My breath stuttered as the eyes elevated in height, and suddenly a large, bright yellow razor-toothed smile appeared as well.

"Wake up." He growled.

I gasped sharply, shooting forward in bed with a terrified scream.

My hands went over my eyes as I screamed, hot tears rolling down my cheeks.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I screamed, trying to get the image of the young boy out of my head. His eye...

Suddenly, there were arms around me.

I thrashed, thinking death itself has come to drag me down to hell.

"No, please, I'm sorry, I didn't want to!" I cried out, "I had to, please, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry..." I sobbed loudly, my throat beginning to hurt as I screamed and cried.

"Fawn..." came a soft, familiar voice. I stopped thrashing, but my breaths remained quick.

A familiar scent surrounded me, aiding to calm my aching nerves. My body trembled, tears still spilling from my eyes.

The arms around me pulled me forward, laying my head against something warm and firm. Using my hands, I felt whoever was touching me.

First I came into contact with fabric, and then skin as I reached up and touched their face.

"It's me, Fawn...Alastor..."

I kept my hands on his face, my fingers trembling heavily. Sucking in another sob, I pulled myself up further, climbing into his lap before I buried my face into his shoulder and hugged him tightly.

I let everything out, wailing like a newborn. All he did was run his fingers down my back and hold me. Then, my cries quieted when a noise entered my head.

Like music.

His voice sang a very soft tune, sounding smooth and even. He kept rubbing my back, and my fingers that had a death grip on his shirt began to loosen.

Soon, I was just laying against him with my face pressed into his neck. I was covered in snot and tears, hiccuping every now and then.

When I'd calmed down enough, I pulled away from his neck to look at him. His eyes met mine, and he looked very tired but also equally worried.

His relaxed features broke into a soft smile, and he used his thumbs to wipe away my tears. My body was still quivering slightly, and I recalled my dream, causing my lip to quiver.

"I-I didn't want to..." I whimpered, looking up into his eyes, "he-he wouldn't l-leave I—"

"Shhhh..." he hushed me quietly, cupping my face, "you have nothing to be sorry for...you have nothing to be upset for...you've done absolutely nothing wrong..." he spoke slowly, looking me in the eyes.

My breath trembled and I shook my head, "I killed him..." I whimpered, beginning to cry again, "I killed him..."

Alastor let out a quiet sigh, pulling me forward gently into his chest again.

"He would have killed you if you hadn't..." he said quietly by my ear, "you defended yourself and my home...you are strong, stronger than I ever gave you any credit for...you've done nothing wrong..." he repeated, his words being assertive but still soft.

My trembling slowly subsided, and I once again laid against him. Taking in a deep breath, I sniffled, holding onto him tightly.

He's so warm and comfortable...I can't help but calm down just a little bit while he's holding me.

I took one more shaky breath and finally let my muscles relax. My entire body is aching from head to toe, and I feel like I haven't had a drink of water for a year.

Pulling away from him again, I furrowed my brows and sniffled, wiping my burning face off.

"H-how long have I been asleep?" My sore voice croaked, and I looked up at him warily. If the look in his eyes told me anything, it's probably been a hot minute.

He just looked off to the side and shook his head slightly, "you weren't really asleep..." he mumbled, confusing me.

"What...?" I asked him, and he sighed.

"After you...protected yourself...your body went into catatonic shock," he explained, "you were like that for about three days..." his voice fell off and he ran his hand back through his hair.

Three days...I've been in shock for three days?

"Oh..." was all I managed to say. He sat next to me, and from the feel of the bed we're on, I think we're in his room.

Now that I'd calmed down somewhat, I could see that his appearance was disheveled. His hair was a bit greasy and untamed, and he actually had a little bit of stubble on his face.

"Alastor..." I started softly, furrowing my brows as I reached up and touched his face, "have you slept...?"

His eyes met mine once more and the ghost of a smile was on his lips. He looked a bit pitiful, and completely lethargic with dark circles under his eyes.

"I was...a bit too preoccupied for sleep..." he said, and my eyes widened as I realized he means with me.

He's been taking care of me for the past three days.

I felt guilt and also a warmer feeling settle in my chest. Shaking my head, I spoke again.

"Well, I'm ok now...you should get some rest—" I suggested, but he caught me off guard when he grabbed me and pulled me back into his chest, hugging me tightly.

I was frozen against him, my eyes wide when he squeezed me and buried his face into my neck. He let out a slightly shaky breath and loosened his hold, allowing me to slip my arms around him hesitantly.

"I'm sorry..." he whispered.

My heart broke slightly and I rubbed his back gently. I was still fatigued and thirsty, but those things can wait...

"What're you sorry for?" I chuckled slightly, pulling him up so he would look into my eyes. His lips were set into a frown and he shook his head.

"That I wasn't there..." he said, and I slid my hands from his shoulders to his arms and squeezed.

"Alastor, you've taken care of me for three days straight..." I started, "I couldn't be more thankful that you were kind enough to do that for me," I shook my head and smiled, "thank you."

He looked at me a moment longer, seemingly determining if I was being genuine or not. Then he closed his eyes a let out a soft sigh, allowing his shoulders to relax slightly.

"I'd do it a million times..." he mumbled quietly, and then pet my head gently, standing up off the bed.

"Ok, dear...get some more rest, and in the morning I'll make us some breakfast, hm?" He said, trying to make his voice sound how it usually does and failing.

I cocked my head, watching him walk towards the door.

"Where on earth are you going?" I asked him, and he froze with his hand almost at the doorknob.

"Uh...I'm going to go lay down," he responded, and I observed him for a second in disbelief.

He's cared for me and kept me alive for three days, and he still wants to let me have his bed?

"Alastor, come here," I said softly, reaching out towards him. He turned and saw my hand, then looked to my eyes.

Eventually he trudged over to me, slipping his hand into mine and engulfing it.

"Sleep in your bed..." I said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze as I looked into his eyes, "please?"

He stared down at me for a second, and then a weak smile tugged at his lips.

"Oh, so you want to sleep with me?" He joked, immediately making my cheeks burn scarlet.

I smacked his chest as he started chuckling, making me giggle as well.

"Shut up!" I snorted softly, and we laughed for a second before it became quiet again and he seemed to weigh his options.

Then he sighed and walked around the bed to the opposite side.

He pulled the covers back and climbed in next to me, laying down almost immediately. I could practically see the relief that gave him as his eyes closed when his head hit the pillow.

I felt slightly amused at the sight, my tiny smile staying as I brought my hand to his head.

My fingers brushed through his hair, and he let out a deep sigh before I pulled my hand back. Then, in an almost scarily short amount of time, his breathing evened out and he relaxed even further into the pillows.

My body still aches terribly and I'm really hungry, but I'll worry about those things when morning rolls around.

For right now I'm going to rest with him.

Settling back into my spot, I smiled at the man across from me in bed. His features were peaceful, the stubble on his face giving him a slight shadow.

The sight brought warmth to my heart, and I let my eyes close once again.

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