Fawn, but with Al's personality

Fawn's POV

I could not seem to get this food into my body fast enough. Last night, I completely underestimated how hungry I actually was.

When I woke up this morning, I nearly ate Alastor because he was the closest thing to me that was edible.

Speaking of, he is looking much better today. His regular smile is back, and he doesn't look as lethargic.

I still can't believe he took care of me for three days...

"Slow down, cher," he chuckled, and I looked up at him. He was holding a coffee mug, steam floating leisurely from the surface of the dark liquid.

Swallowing the food in my mouth, I shook my head.

"I'm literally starving," I said, "your cooking is a literal godsend," I complimented the fantastic food he's graced me with.

So far I've had four pieces of bacon, two pancakes, eggs, toast, and a bowl of fruit.

Currently, I'm working on a plate of hash browns.

He sipped at his coffee and raised his eyebrows, then shrugged, "ok, but when you get sick because you ate so fast, don't expect me to hold your hair back," he said casually.

I stuck my tongue out at him and then giggled.

Taking a moment, I observed him. He still looked a bit tired, but his hair was fixed and he was fresh shaven now. One of his fingers tapped his mug along to a tune that only he could hear, and he looked up to catch me staring.

The calm smile on his face lifted into a smirk, and he leaned forward.

"What?" He asked me, and I shrugged, picking at the food in front of me.

"N-nothing..." I mumbled, and then sighed softly, "why did you do it?" I blurted, my eyes widening when I realized what I'd said.

Looking up, I met his eyes again and he seemed thoughtful, tilting his head, "what do you mean?" He asked.

Glancing down at my plate I bit my lip, "why did you take care of me?" I questioned softly.

At that he was silent for a moment, and I looked back up at him. He blinked, just looking at me for a moment before he cleared his throat.

"Because of my promise to you...you can't exactly return home if you're dead, now, can you?" He said matter of factly.

I tried to fight the disappointment in my heart upon hearing his answer. My shoulders deflated just barely and my eyes fell to my half eaten plate.

"Oh..." I mumbled and then shrugged as I glazed over my disappointment with a smile, "yea, that makes sense," I chuckled.

But my smile slowly faded as I recalled the hug he gave me last night.

'I'm sorry...'

That's what he'd said to me...that he was sorry he hadn't been there to protect me. Why would he be sorry if his only concern had been with keeping our deal...?

"What's the matter, Fawn?" He asked me softly, breaking my train of thought. I looked up at him and quickly restored my smile.

Shaking my head I waved him off, "nothing, I was just thinking about something. It's not important," I said, looking back to my food and preparing to just move past the subject.

He was silent for a moment as I continued eating. I really don't know what else I expected. Maybe I just miss having a connection with someone...my brain is just filling in the spaces with the little bit of kindness he's provided me, and I was just overthinking the situation.

"...I was worried about you," he said suddenly, making me freeze.

Hearing him say that was like a shock, although I knew that's what I wanted to hear deep down, it's still surprising hearing him actually admit that he was worried about me...and not just the deal.

"M-me?" I asked, looking up.

For once he wasn't making eye contact while we spoke, his gaze focused on his hands.

His smile was small and he laughed slightly, "yes, you. I wasn't sure if you'd ever snap out of it...but I was glad when you finally did, even though you damn near gave me a heart attack when you woke up screaming," he said, looking up at me amusedly.

A blush dusted my cheeks as I just looked at him for a moment. Then a wide smile broke across my face and I chuckled, "honestly, I was more concerned with you than myself after I got my bearings," I said, watching as he cocked his head at that statement.

"Whatever for?" He said, his tone almost daring me.

Oh, I dare.

"You looked like shit," I said simply, smiling playfully at him. He scoffed and rolled his eyes.

Then my smile softened and I sighed, twirling my fork against the plate.

"You saved my life, y'know..." I said quietly.

Looking up, I met his eyes that were already on me. He leaned forward a bit, "how so?"

The blush on my face deepened and I remembered recalling all the steps he showed me on how to properly use a gun.

"If you hadn't shown me how to use a gun, I never would have been able to fight back..." I explained, "and I'm really glad I actually listened, because at the time I thought it was stupid," I chuckled.

He just observed me for a moment, then in the most gentle tone he said, "I'm proud of you."

My eyes widened slightly.

I haven't heard those words since my mom died.

"F-for what...?" I questioned, and he sighed softly in thought.

"For being brave...and for protecting yourself...it was really intense, the situation you were in, so I'm impressed and proud that you handled it so smoothly," he said.

Smoothly?

"I wouldn't exactly say going into shock for three days is smooth..." I said sheepishly, but he shook his head.

"Your body reacted accordingly, you were scared," his tone was still gentle and I found myself appreciating his words.

Then he broke the serious air with a grin and he shrugged, "and if I'm being completely honest, you saved the poor sap from a much more painful demise, because I genuinely would not have been as merciful with him," he said casually.

I snorted softly, shaking my head as he casually talked about murder. It's a bit funny in a way, hearing someone speak so normally about something so gruesome.

"You're awful," I chuckled, and he hummed in agreement.

"That I am, but even so..." suddenly I felt fingers under my chin, forcing me to look back up. He met my eyes and he was now leaning forward so he could tilt my head up, making me blush heavily, "I am very glad that you're alright..."

My lips parted, and my heart thumped hard against my chest. The skin on my face felt like it was on fire, and he kept me like that for a few more seconds.

He was looking at me so softly, a complete polar contrast to the look I'm so used to seeing in his eyes. That slightly unhinged, cocky arrogance was gone...replaced by something raw that I couldn't quite pinpoint.

No one has ever really looked at me the way he is right now.

I glanced at his lips, and everything felt still. He's so close to me...getting closer. I'm getting closer. The space just steadily kept getting thinner, and thinner...until finally...

A very loud ringing caused both of us to jump, and I immediately snapped out of my stupor. His fingers fled from my chin, and his eyes were wide as he pulled back quickly.

He didn't say a word as he stood up swiftly and hustled over to the blaring phone, leaving me to my own racing thoughts.

There's no way we just...did he...was he about to...?

It had to have been a momentary thing. Just both of us being caught up...that's all that was, yea...

I brought my fingers up to my lips and brushed them across, the ghost of what it might have felt like to kiss him passing through my mind.

Did I want him to...?

Quickly, I furrowed my brows and scrunched my nose, shaking my head disapprovingly at the thought.

No. Firm no. I don't want that cannibal's lips anywhere near me.

I tried. I tried so hard to get that message through my head but it was like it just passed through and then disappeared...leaving me sitting here in dismay as I realized I wouldn't have minded it at all...

Suddenly, footsteps approaching caused my back to straighten. He rounded the table and sat back in his chair.

He didn't look bothered in the slightest.

Maybe I misread that situation...he probably wasn't about to kiss me at all. Maybe...

"Who was on the phone?" I asked quickly, shoving my emotional storm to the side.

He sighed, "oh, it was just the office...Niffty was checking up on me, and informing me that they have Oh so tragically been informed that Henry is most likely dead," his smile was wicked as he said this, but I found myself not really protesting the idea of him having killed that sleezeball.

"Good riddance," I scoffed, and he nodded.

"Oh dear, he cried like a baby the entire time...I nearly just lopped off his head to shut him up!" He said with a laugh, and even though I know he's talking about murder right now, and I know I should be appalled...I just can't seem to bring myself to feel disgusted.

I was blushing now, realizing I may be getting a bit too comfortable around him.

Then my eyes widened and I looked up suddenly, "Alastor, have you been going to work?" I asked him.

He blinked and shook his head, "no I uh..." he cleared his throat and glanced away from my eyes, "I was worried, uh...that you would wake up and I didn't want you to be alone..." he nearly mumbled, a bit of color dusting his face as his smile turned sheepish.

Once again that warm feeling tugged at my heart and I had to bite back a smile.

Rolling his shoulders back as he restored his wide smile, he shrugged, "I just told them I was sick with a sore throat...I can't exactly broadcast if I can't speak," he chuckled.

I chuckled as well, once again being flattered that he was so...tender...about my situation.

Watching his movements, I swallowed hard and tried to shake off the growing feelings that were producing rapidly.

But I just couldn't...this fluttering in my stomach was a clear sign that I've fallen victim to his charms, just like everyone else.

Fallen victim...

In a completely different, and much warmer way that most fall victim to his hand.